Kristian Edward | Sauvignon Blanc, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina

Tasting Notes: (Nicholas Kalavidas) Extremely fresh, automatically suggesting the high level of quality and care in the handling of the fruit from this Mendoza offering.

From a winemaker’s perspective, the challenges of white wine production, beginning with the handling of the grapes being picked to every little detail of guiding the fruit to a resultant wine is critical…much more critical than with warm fermented red wine grapes on skins.

This wine not only shows the quality of the vineyard site but the perfectionism and passion of the winemaking staff.  The tinge of light lime green hue that comes through the flint glass shows how tight the production protocols are as this color is only possible when grape and juice handling is impeccable.

The aromatics or ‘nose’ of this wine is elegant, complex, tender, precise and alluring.  The smell of the minerality of alluvial soils is suggesting a winemaker’s dream soil……poor.

At first look, I noticed a beautiful lemon-grass scent that I had not noticed when the wine was chilled.  Allowing this wine to be served ‘cool’ (60-70 degrees) will allow the lemon-grass as well as the gooseberry character so typical of a fine cooler-climate or higher altitude Sauvignon.  The gooseberry was not the same depth as that of some other appellations renown for fine Sauvignon (such as New Zealand), but the scent is a ‘classier’ aroma, if you will.

It is obvious from the aromatics, before even being confirmed on the palate, that this is not a wine that has been manipulated or ‘man-handled’.  This is a wine that has been extremely well cared for all the way into the bottle (and for that matter, well stored to the point of my tastings).

Although I have not seen the vineyard site nor do I know the exact location in Mendoza but the character observed on the first taste was that of lemon-grass, a mineral-sandy-clay-loam alluvial soil that is calcareous in makeup.  This ‘textural’ feel to the wine washes over the palate…..and lingers with a ‘musical sustain’.  A ‘creaminess’ to the mid-palate was almost a surprise combined with a bright and complex acidic structure.

Minutes after tasting, the mineral complexities linger on the tongue, causing greater inquisition as to wanting to know more of the ‘place’ specific to its origin, that of its soils, its weather and its people.

It is beautiful that this wine has achieved its flavor, tender-intensity and complexity at an alcohol of 12.5% where so many examples of Sauvignon, to be great, have much riper alcohol expressions.  There is no need for that here.

The Kristian Edward Sauvignon Blanc is not a copy of other styles or wines I’ve tasted from any other place.  It is certainly unique and absolutely refreshing to taste a Sauvignon so distinctively aligned with a place like no other.  It’s not French, nor New Zealand nor Californian as it is a style of its own.

Balanced, fresh, unique and very close to the fruit in its expression.  Kiwi fruit, fujoa, a hint of passion fruit, a creaminess reminiscent of sweet-ripe mango on the palate, finishing with honeysuckle and citrus.  The finishe is long with an acidic texture that holds well after the wine washes down.

Absolutely true to the place with nothing less than passion and brilliance expressed in the finished wine.

Don’t be surprised (I wouldn’t be surprised) if more than a few New Zealand and Napa Valley Sauvignon lovers don’t change their affections over this wine.