Silver Stone Wines

Monterey County grows some really fine Sauvignon Blanc – nice and crisp and refreshing. This zippy wine is an excellent example of how to do it right: exotic aromas of grapefruit, grass, flint, gooseberries and a hint of honeysuckle promise something refreshing and complex. Tight citrus flavours unwind into layers of bosc pear, starfruit, hints of cilantro, lemon zest and kiwifruit, and the French oak gives it just a hint of richness without buttering it up too much.

Winemaker Dan Kleck barrel ferments this linen-crisp beauty in the tradition of the white wines of Bordeaux's Graves District, ageing it sur lie for several months. The wine receives regular battonage, which explains the supple texture on the finish. Dan is one of those guys who has been in the business just about forever, and has created a reputation for versatility. He makes wine from many appellations, and really enjoys what the cool climate Arroyo Seco area has to offer, especially when it comes to lean, clean, minerally whites.

This is the winery’s first vineyard designate SB and is a drink now while the sun is high kind of wine. It would be excellent with seared scallops with grapefruit, orange zest, radish sprouts and frisseé, or a simple shrimp and snow pea risotto.

Reviewed November 8, 2007 by Laura Ness.