Coquerel, Petit Coquerel Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley

It's easy to understand why Coquerel calls Sauvignon Blanc its flagship varietal—clearly the result of excellent fruit quality combined with the sheer talent of Bordeaux-born winemaker, Christine Barbe. The 2012 Le Petit Coquerel boasts a vibrant nose of gooseberries and lime zest, punctuated by spicy undertones reminiscent of juniper berries and white pepper. Lovely on the palate, and texturally quite round, with pithy layers of white grapefruit, lime and star fruit. Herbaceous at the close with a very long, lingering …

Nice grassy, bracing nose. The palate is smooth and light, mild hint of spicy fruit... and summer! This is fresh and a very pleasing wine.

Pale straw color. Bright and inviting on the nose, a medley of white peach, guava and lemon peel mixed with white flowers, green pepper and some spicy oregano. The palate shows crisp acid and a moderately creamy body. The flavors of lemon zest, green apple and guava are complex and deep, laced with notes of sea salt, white pepper, floral perfume and oregano. Underlying notes of minerals and crushed chalk add complexity. All stainless steel.

Blind Tasting at the FC's #2 (C Household) : Tasted blind. Great nose full of citrus, grass notes, and 'cat piss' that scream Sauv. Blanc and indicate no oak. The palate is just a vibrant with the same citrus notes, especially grapefruit, coming through nicely with the acidity to a cleansing finish. A very nice wine. I guessed 2008 Sancerre around $30. I guess I payed the wine a nice complement. I wouldn't hesitate to buy some. A great QPR. …

Aged in steel so there is no oak to compete with the crisp citrus which at first made the wine a little out of balance. This bottle was consumed over several days and the best glass was the last as the acidity faded some allowing the grapefruit to come forward. Given that experience, I would assume giving this wine the opportunity for a little oxidation helps this wine really hits it's stride. The wine would be great with wood grilled …