2008 Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc
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Tasting notes
The strongly reductive character of the younger vintages is now showing in a lovely toasty complexity. There's some green fig fruit ripeness and spice on the palate, and a terrific depth of fruit, with the winemaking adding delicious layers. No signs of Sauvignon Blanc's negative old age, just a touch of cedary resin showing the maturity. (JH)
Critic scores
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Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Opening with a lovely nose of lemongrass, orange blossom, crushed stones and peaches plus a touch of baking bread, the 2008 Section 94 is a light to medium-bodied, silky wine that's drinking in a great place and showing a touch of almonds in the long finish. This is a wine of great elegance and sophistication.
Pale bright yellow. Gingery peach and curry powder aromas are complemented by smoky low tones and lifted by pepper and white flowers. Very ripe, tactile flavors of yellow fruits and smoky, dusty minerality spread out impressively to saturate the palate, with a bit of CO2 spritz yet to be absorbed. Impressively fat and deep wine with an expanding finish hinting at pineapple. Firm acidity gives it structure and grip. Shows a much more graceful integration of its wood element (it spent 18 months in old French barriques) than the 2007 version. I'd love to follow this over the next five years.