It's big and rich like a chard, but has all the varietal characteristics that make it sauvignon, plus enough acidity to ensure it doesn't sing flat.

The nose has that great gooseberry aroma that's a classic sauvignon blanc tune. (If you've never smelled gooseberries, it's a bit like ultra-crisp green bell pepper along with something a little more earthy -- rhubarb, maybe.) Grapefruit and a bit of grass (two other sauvignon hit singles) are also in there.

Just below room temperature, this white has a big, rich mouthfeel that contrasts wonderfully with its brighter flavors of grapefruit and lemon.

The finish has those same flavors, along with minerals and grassiness that add complexity and support the fruit like The Revolution did for Prince.

As the weather warms up and white wine consumption increases (or should, anyway), don't listen to the same record by Chardonnay and the Butter Bombs over and over again. Don't settle for impersonators, wannabes or kinda-likes, either. Instead, get this winner from Whitehall Lane before it becomes such a big star that tickets to its shows become too expensive.

Cheers,
TSW

No one loves a wannabe. An evening with Rob Hanna may be a good time, but it's just not the same as seeing Rod Stewart (probably even truer if you're an actual Rod Stewart fan). Someone should remind California sauvignon blanc about that.

A lot of sauvignon blanc from the Golden State gets promoted as a white "chardonnay drinkers will love." The problem with most of those wines is that they taste like mediocre chardonnay. Who wants that?

Sauvignon blanc doesn't need to affect its voice to sing in an oaky, buttery style rife with pear and tropical fruit. It has a great voice all its own! Still, those accustomed to California wines can find the high acidity of sauv. blanc as sharp and grating as the voice of an "American Idol" reject.

This beautiful wine from Whitehall Lane deftly splits the difference.