2015 Weingut Von Winning, Sauvignon Blanc II, Pfalz Germany.
Even the entry level 2015 Sauvignon Blanc from Von Winning is beyond expectations, and those were high, and this mostly stainless steel version truly makes you wonder why you’d drink Sauvignon Blanc from anywhere else! Honestly, I’d rather have this 2015 Von Winning Sauvignon Blanc II Trocken than almost any New Zealand or California wine, especially in this price class, nothing comes close, not Cloudy Bay, and certainly not Duckhorn or Cakebread, which taste awful in comparison! It getting tougher when you get to the Loire Valley or even Alto Adige, but again at this price, the Von Winning prevails, it’s just that much more interesting and complex, it’s simply much more the compelling wine. Grown following biodynamic (organic) principles in high density vines on the sandstone, limestone and clay in the Pfalz, the Von Winning Sauvignon Blanc II shows bright floral tones, a pale sunrise in the glass and intense gooseberry and a burst of lemon/lime to start with a fleshy and forward palate adding white peach and subtle tropical notes with striking mineral, wet stones and a crisp dusty chalky character. A hint of herb, pink grapefruit and tangy marmalade add to the complexity, and while brisk with juicy acidity this light bodied white gains texture and has wonderful and detailed mouth feel and heavenly delicacy. Von Winning is on a roll and 2015 takes things to the next level, you’ll want to get any and every Riesling they make in this glorious vintage, but do not overlook the Sauvignon Blancs, these are mind blowing wines, they might have made me fall in love with this varietal all over again, and in particular this 2015 Sauvignon Blanc II, in my book it’s the best Sauvignon Blanc for the money you can buy, period, end of story! Drink this vibrant beauty over the next 3 to 5 years, drink it alone as a pure summer sipper or really get the best out of it with cuisine, be that cheeses or white fish as well as lemon chicken or sushi even, just don’t miss this wine!
($26 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive