The name Animo comes from the Italian word for “soul.” Michael Mondavi and his son, Rob Jr., chose that moniker to capture the spirit of this vineyard, which consistently produces exceptional grapes to create stunning wines. Animo 2021 is straw colored in the glass and soft on entry into the palate. It has aromas of peach, white flowers, vanilla, passion fruit, and guava, and is full-bodied and round with flavors of key lime pie, blood orange, and honeydew melon. There is a perfectly balanced level of acidity and a bright splash of citrus fruit flavors in the finish.

The team at Matthews has decades of combined experience making wine in Washington State. Head winemaker Alex Stewart started his wine journey in Washington and also made wine in Burgundy, Tuscany, and Switzerland, while winemaker Hal Iversen studied at Washington State University and traveled throughout South America, Europe, and Asia before working as assistant winemaker at Quilceda Creek. The current owners are the Mercer family, a fifth-generation agricultural family who settled in Horse Heaven Hills in 1886. Together, the Matthews team makes some amazing wines, including world-class Cabernet Sauvignons, but we were equally impressed with their 2023 Sauvignon Blanc. It has aromas of jasmine, honeysuckle, and lemon zest with a bold, rounded mouthfeel and flavors of grapefruit pith, bergamot, and marzipan. The finish is bright and zesty with well-balanced acidity. 

Joe Phelps knew that Napa Valley could produce world-class wines as far back as 1970. In 1974, he began making a unique blend each year and called it Insignia, but he refused to rely only on Cabernet Sauvignon to showcase his vineyards. In the last 60 or so years, Joseph Phelps Vineyards has followed Joe’s original formula but now also makes stunning wines from Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache, and, of course, this delicious Sauvignon Blanc. It has aromas of pink grapefruit, wet river rock, and lifted spearmint that transition to juicy flavors of blood orange, lemon curd, and dried Mediterranean herbs. 

Accendo Cellars was founded by Bart and Daphne Araujo, whose children Greg and Jaime sold it to a group of Napa growers last year. Winemaker Françoise Peschon is responsible for making the white wines and has worked with the family since 1993. Most of the Sauvignon Blanc grapes for this delightful wine are sourced from 35-year-old vines planted in the Ehrlich Vineyard in Oakville, but additional fruit, including Semillon and Sauvignon Musque, comes from the Araujo’s home vineyard in Oakville. The 2023 has ethereal aromas of Bartlett pear, salt air, and jasmine blossoms. There is excellent minerality in the mid-palate that supports flavors of Lady apple, dried Mediterranean herbs, and chamomile blossoms. 

Jonata is owned by the proprietor of Screaming Eagle in Napa Valley and Domaine Bonneau du Martray in Burgundy. When Jonata was established, the goal was to make quality wines in the Santa Ynez Valley, and we certainly think they’ve achieved that year after year. Jonata 2023 Flor Sauvignon Blanc is a blend of 85 percent Sauvignon Blanc and 15 percent Semillon. It has enticing aromas of dried chamomile flowers, lemon curd, lemon zest, and honeysuckle with a rounded mouthfeel and flavors of lemon-lime, lemongrass, pink grapefruit, and tropical fruits.

DeLille Cellars is well known and highly respected in Washington State for their Bordeaux-style blends, but we also think their Sauvignon Blancs are world-class. Founded by Chris Upchurch, Jay Soloff, Greg Lill and Charles Lill, DeLille Cellars was one of the first five wineries in the state to receive Robert Parker’s Five Star excellence rating. Their 2023 Chaleur Blanc is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon that is aged in stainless steel and 42 percent new French oak barrels. It has aromas of lemon, white flowers, and toasted hazelnut. Zesty but with balanced acidity in the mid palate, it has flavors of tropical fruits, honeydew, apricot, lemon zest, and dried mango.

Dossier was established in 2021 by NFL player Sidney Rice and Yakima-born real estate developer Tim Lenihan. They brought in master of wine Billo Naravane as the head winemaker and consultant, and together the team makes some of Walla Walla’s most sought-after bottles. We tasted Dossier’s vintages at their newly designed tasting room in downtown Walla Walla. This 2021 Sauvignon Blanc is available as a library selection, and it is drinking beautifully right now. It has aromas of tropical fruits, grapefruit zest, and citrus blossoms that transition to flavors of lemon curd, dried sage, pear, and apricot with just a hint of lemongrass in the finish.