Having been inspired by Nahthern's review of the 2006 Araujo Eisele Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, I have resolved to attempt to find some American Sav Blancs that I like for myself, and I started here with this effort from Rochioli, a prominent producer from the Russian River Valley. This is a rich, full interpretation of the grape, with a high alcohol content of 14.5%, but it is reasonably well balanced. There is decent acidity to go with the full flavours and high alcohol, though there is a little bit of heat on the finish. There is plenty of fruit - lime, red grapefruit and pineapple - and some pleasing floral and herbal notes, along with excellent wet rock, almost smokey, minerality. Overall not a bad wine, though I have to admit to tiring of it a bit as we approach the end of the bottle, something that happens after about half a glass of a NZ Sav Blanc but almost never happens with a decent one from the Loire. The hunt will continue...(04/10)
