St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc and Unoaked Chardonnay

St. Supery Estate, RutherfordI recently received samples of a couple of white wines from St. Supery to review and was ready to pop the tops and get to sipping.  I visited St. Supery in Rutherford, Napa Valley in 2009 and really enjoyed it.  They have a gorgeous estate situated just off St. Helena Highway, and I enjoyed a relaxing afternoon lunch outdoors while taking in the scenery. 

The estate was purchased in the 1980s by Robert Skalli, whose family has made wine in France for several generations.  They now own over 1500 acres of Napa vineyards and produce some world class California wines.  Here are the two that I sampled:

2009 St. Supery Oak Free Chardonnay ($22).  This wine is made up of mostly Chardonnay, with 1% Sauvignon Blanc added.  It has very good tropical and grannie smith apple aroma and flavor, plus decent acidity.  There is a small detection of both minerality and spice, most like white pepper.  The flavor is a bit dull on the finish and does not last long.  A decent wine, though I can find better Chardonnay for the price.  (82 WG).

2009 St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc ($23).  I've always loved St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc, especially from Dollarhide Vineyard, and this one does not disappoint.  They've always resembled New Zealand with zesty grapefruit and no oak treatment, and that's definitely my style.  This one exhibits bright lime, kiwi, loads of grapefruit, excellent acidity, and a touch of caper berry to finish off the greenness of the wine.  Awesome with seafood dishes or sushi.  Highly recommended.  (91 WG).

I hope to try more St. Supery wines and let you know what I think.  They not only make some very good white wines, but the reds are just as good if not better.  If you make the trip to Napa, be sure to stop in, and tell 'em the Windy City Wine Guy told ya!

Sopranos & St. Supery at Binny's South Loop

Little did I know that when I signed up for a tasting of St. Supery wines at Binny's south loop, that I would run into the Sopranos.  The place was, excuse the pun, a mob scene!  When I first entered, I practically ran into Tony Sirico (Paulie Walnuts) and Steven Schirripa (Bobby Baccalieri), who were there to sign bottles of Sopranos wines.  There was a line that travelled all the way to the back of the store!  People were just waiting for a chance to meet the Italian duo, and get an autograph on their Sopranos wine.  I decided to grab some pictures and look for some St. Supery.

I found Rick Bakas and Steve Orozco of St. Supery in the middle of the store pouring five different wines.  I started with their 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (which made my Best Buys list) ($14.99) and is refreshing, full of lime burst, grapefruit, and pineapple.  I moved to their 2008 Virtu ($23.99), which is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.  This is a bit richer, with creamier notes, stone fruit, and more body.  Then it was a Cabernet Sauvignon comparison between their vineyard blend ($29.99) and the 2005 Dollarhide estate ($69.99).  The blend had more toasted coconut along with lush fruity flavor and supple tannins, while the Dollarhide was more intense and concentrated, with grippy tannins, and smooth oak flavor.  The blend was a pleaser while the Dollarhide could age to become a more mature and strong Cabernet.  I finished with their 2008 Moscato ($18.99), which was sweet and floral, with peach fruit flavor, but devoid of any sparkle- I like mine with some fizz.  I really like the St. Supery wines since I was introduced to them at the Wine Blogger Conference 2009, and I think you will too.

As far as the Sopranos wines go, they are made in association with HBO, and are a lineup of Italian varietals.  They make a Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir from Pavia, and three different Chianti: a DOCG madeup of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, a traditional Classico, and Riserva.  I haven't tried them, so I cannot render any feedback, but I look forward to it.  I know enough people went home with the wines that there should be some reviews out there!

I guess this proves that in Chicago, you never know who you'll run into!

Check out this St. Supéry Deal!

From now through Monday, October 5, 2009, St. Supéry is offering their 2003 Merlot for $150 per case.  That is a $28 wine you can have for $12.50 per bottle!

The wine is medium-full bodied, has loads of fruits, and hints of herbs and mocha.

Just go to the St. Supéry shop and use the discount code MERLOT150 when you check out.  Life is too short to drink cheap wine, and is even better when you get good wine at a discount!