The Holy Snail Sauvignon Blanc 2016 is ($9.99 Whole Foods) sourced from contracted vineyards in the Touraine region in the central section of the Loire Valley in France. The Holy Snail is produced by Domaine Joel Delaunay and is a Val de Loire IGP wine, meaning this is a Sauv Blanc indicative of the Loire Valley, but for some reason does not conform to all the rules and regulations of AOC wine. This is a young wine, meant to be enjoyed in the first year or two of release and the sooner the better. The alcohol content is a mild 12%.
The color is a pale golden yellow. The nose is delicious, bright, and alive, tropical fruit, pear, peach, apple, lime, and garden flowers. This is a fruit forward, but well-balanced Sauvignon Blanc with crisp acidity. It tastes of melon, honey, Golden Delicious apple, grapefruit, and lemon. The mid-palate offers pineapple, a touch of cream, and a final slap of slightly sour lime. The acidity allows this wine to be bright and lively. The finish is full and long.
My favorite Sauvignon Blanc is the entry-level, young Sauv Blanc of the Loire Valley, the scents and the flavors jump out of your glass. Drinking a glass reminds me of the first warm day of spring after a long, cold winter. For some reason, inexpensive, but awesome Loire Sauv Blanc is a little hard to find, boutique wine shops tend to stock the more expensive stuff, the mom and pop shops usually do not carry it and it is easy to get sidetracked in the wine super stores. So. I was pleased to find Whole Foods had a lovely, well-priced Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc. This is a wonderful bottle, less bold than the Sauv Blanc from New Zealand, but just as alive, juicy, and delicious.
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