Embarrassingly, this was my first time trying a California Sauvignon Blanc. I’d often heard that the quality has been improving and had long wanted to give it a try. That said, this bottle just happened to come in a lucky bag and retails for around ¥2,000, so I opened it without high expectations…
Well, it was about what you’d expect for the price. The color was a moderately deep greenish yellow—quite pronounced for an SB. The nose showed typical Sauvignon Blanc notes of citrus and grassy herbs, along with a faint hint of floral honey.
On the palate, it was clean and supported by sharp acidity, but what set it apart from SBs of other regions was the fuller fruit, broader body, and a slight touch of sweetness. Overall, it lacked the sense of coolness you often find in Loire or New Zealand examples, leaving a somewhat heavy impression.
Still, this likely reflects California’s warm, sun-rich climate. It does make me curious, though—what would a higher-end example taste like? If I get the chance, I’d like to try a more premium bottle.