Alpha Estate Ecosystem Fumé Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Description

The 2017 Sauvignon Blanc Fumé Ecosystem Kaliva is Alpha's single-block (Kaliva) Sauvignon Blanc, aged for seven months in new French oak. It is part of the new 'Ecosystem' branding. (Earlier oaked bottlings were typically just called 'Barrel Fermented.') It comes in at 13.9% alcohol. As always, this wine has more depth and power than the regular (2018) Sauvignon Blanc this issue. It is simply a more profound bottling. The oak mingles with the vegetal nuances and creates an interesting mix of flavors, but one thing the wood never does is obscure the fine fruit. This isn't the most intense version of this wine, but its balance, structure, concentration and finish - long and persistent - make it another winner. It can easily hold several years, maybe more, but while it may still be just fine in a decade, I wouldn't plan on making this an 'old bones' wine. It drinks great now. Drink date: 2019-2024. Score - 91. (Mark Squires, robertparker.com, April 30, 2019)

Tags

Aromatic & Flavourful, Sauvignon Blanc, White Wine, Wine, XD - Extra Dry