“One of the finest Sauvignons from California.” – Jeb Dunnuck

On the HEAD, Jeb! It has serious Haut-Brion Blanc vibes.

We’d feel supremely confident putting it up against the finest you’ll find in France, or anywhere for that matter. Oh wait, this is a Philippe Melka wine, who MADE Haut-Brion Blanc, duh!

Certainly, at our price NOTHING compares. Well under $30 for some liquid gold that was once $75. And just to leave this here, Haut Brion’s 2017 Blanc will set you back about $1,000 a bottle.

Did we mention the record-high 95 points?

The Reynoso family knows vines. They farm 150 acres of grapes to supply plenty of big names, but they keep a small portion of their very best to label under their passion project Crescere. And Phillipe Melka knows wine. His resume is long and storied, having made countless high scoring gems for Bryant Family, Dalla Valle, Vineyard 29 and Dana Estate. And finally, Ritchie Vineyard is one of the top vineyards in Russian River Valley and this shows why. A quick search for labels that wear Ritchie reveals a who’s who list with Aubert, DuMol, Ramey, Patz & Hall, AXR, Bevan, Addax, and on and on…

A gentle upbringing in some oak gives it a round weighty, curvaceous mouthfeel but the abundance of bright acidity and gorgeous tropical notes keep it all lithe and sexy. And the minerality! Such complexity is rarely found in a Sauvignon Blanc. It drops a pile of fruit up front. We’re diggin the roasted pineapples, honey-dipped apricots, Meyer lemon bars and crushed river rocks.

This is the wine you’ll want all summer long, poolside/seaside, at the little league games, the big family BBQ, while wakeboarding (on the boat, at least), from coast to coast, any time, any place.

Hot off the press, Robb Report picked “Superb New Sauvignon Blancs to Drink This Spring” and raved that this is “one of few Sonoma projects overseen by Napa-based (and French-born) consultant Philippe Melka, Crescere is the creation of Joe Reynoso… focused and concentrated but rich and mouth-filling too.”

Do yourself a big favor and grab a case. We got ours!

95 Points – Jeb Dunnuck

“One of the finest Sauvignons from California, the 2017 Sauvignon Blanc Ritchie Vineyard (100% Sauvignon aged 18 months in 40% new oak) is a serious, concentrated effort that competes with any number of Bordeaux Blanc out there. Fabulous notes of crushed citrus, honeyed grapefruit, and just hints of tropical fruit all flow to a deep, powerful Sauvignon that stays racy and pure, with a terrific finish. It’s the real deal, and while I’d drink bottles over the coming 2-4 years, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this age gracefully. Drink 2019-2023.”