To this date, there were only a couple of wineries we could think of that were in a league of their own when it came to world-class Sauvignon Blanc from Russian River Valley, namely Rochioli and Merry Edwards. We now think it’s safe to add one more to that very short list, Redwood Hill! In fact, this left us wondering when a California Sauvignon Blanc this pure and intense had last crossed our palates? You’ll be asking the same, however, do make sure that you won’t also be asking yourself why you did not buy more, it’s THAT good. Spies are not the savviest in math here but it sure does not take a genius to compute that a $30 Russian River single vineyard Sauvignon Blanc at $14.99 is a crazy good deal.

Pale white gold, with iridescent shades of green and hay straws waving in the summer sun. Copiously aromatic whiffs of candied grapefruit, honeyed lemongrass, and ripe cantaloupe define the borderline exotic and musky nose. An explosion of citrus fruits, wildflowers, and liquid rocks overlay awesome purity and precision on the electric palate. It carries the buildup through with fantastic length, zesty acidity providing vivaciousness and incredibly fresh delineation. Gorgeous on all accounts for sipping alone, this rocket beam of a Sauvignon Blanc would truly sing with prosciutto-wrapped melon or virtually any seafood. The food-friendliness versatility factor is through the roof here.

The winemaking genius behind this stunner is none other than our good friend Randall Watkins of Watkins Family Winery. His resume is overflowing with some of California’s best-known wineries, like Buena Vista Winery, Laurel Glen, and Hartford Family Winery in Sonoma County, Carmen Vineyards in Chile, along with S. Anderson and Bugay Vineyards in Napa Valley. Redwood Hill was an ambitious new project he wholeheartedly took on, which was sadly lost to Sonoma County’s 2017 wildfire catastrophe. What rose from the ashes is impeccably made wine, as somber reminders that when true passion and joy are found in wine as in life, they should be pursued and seized to the fullest.