Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc

This Sauvignon Blanc from Wither Hills is listed with a Massachusetts appellation. Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, aromatic white, and this bottle should follow that style. Expect a dry, high-acid wine with citrus and green notes: grapefruit, lime and gooseberry, with possible passionfruit, cut grass or a herbal edge. Bottles like this are usually light to medium in body with no tannin worth mentioning. Oak is typically absent, since the style relies on stainless-steel freshness, and the finish is usually brisk and clean. Those are category expectations rather than a measured profile of this bottle. Serve it well chilled, around 7 to 10°C (45 to 50°F). Pull it from the refrigerator 10 minutes before pouring if it has been very cold, since too much chill mutes the aroma. It doesn't need decanting. Pouring it straight from the bottle keeps the volatile citrus and herbal notes intact. A standard white wine glass with a moderate bowl and a slightly narrowed rim concentrates those aromas without letting the wine warm too quickly. At the table, the acidity makes it a natural match for foods that benefit from a squeeze of lemon. Good choices include goat cheese salads, grilled asparagus, steamed mussels, pan-seared white fish, shrimp with garlic and herbs, and fresh oysters. The herbal character also suits dishes built on dill, basil, cilantro or green chile, such as ceviche or Thai-style salads. Very rich cream sauces and heavy red-meat dishes will overpower it. Treat this as a drink-now bottle. Unoaked Sauvignon Blanc is at its best within a couple of years of release, while the fruit is bright and the acidity lively. Long cellaring generally dulls the aromatics rather than improving them. Once opened, reseal it and keep it refrigerated. It should hold its character for two to three days.