2018 Localism Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 750 ml

If you don’t live in Napa Valley’s charming Calistoga, California, the odds that you’ve heard of, let alone tasted, a bottle of this Localism Sauvignon Blanc are slim to none. But perhaps that’s the point. Localism is true to its name: a local secret, made for locals, and kept that way—until now.   

A whopping four and a half barrels yielded just 110 cases of what we promise is going to be your new favorite Napa Sauvignon Blanc. It’s quite possibly our favorite discovery of the entire year, owed almost exclusively to Ryan Knoth, the current winemaker for Sinegal Estate Winery in St. Helena, which has amassed a nice collection of 94-97-point Parker scores. Little wonder given Knoth’s mentors: he worked alongside David Abreu, Michel Rolland, and Fredrik Johansson at Staglin Family Vineyard, as well as Jim Barbour and Philippe Melka at Gandona Winery and consulting winemaker Tony Biagi at Sinegal. 

To put it another way, gaining that kind of experience is like training for one discipline under six Olympic gold medal winners. If ever there was a rising star and wine to get to know now, before the critics catch on, this is it. The 2018 Localism is a pre-release wine, with one-third of the production going to you ahead of Knoth’s mailing list.

In the glass, this 2018 shows a stunning platinum bright tone with an emerald-green hue. Layers of white flowers, mandarin blossom, and honeysuckle dance around creamy layers of Meyer Lemon and vanilla with a lively concentration. We said earlier that this is our favorite new discovery owed almost exclusively to Knoth—the other reason is the vineyard source.

The Towne Vineyard in Calistoga sits half a mile from the unicorn vines at Chateau Montelena, and nearby Summers Estate, Envy, and just over a hill are sources for Grgich. So, it sits in prime real estate where ample sunshine coaxes forth an array of flavors while cool nights help keep acids firm and lively. The wine is a combination of 20-year-old Sauvignon Musque and Sauvignon Blanc clones. Hand-harvested and aged for 10 months in once-used neutral French oak barrels, with batonnage (stirring of the lees) which lends the kind of richness and depth you’d expect from a white three times the price. 

The use of minimal oak is intentional because Knoth aims to highlight the fruit and acidity of the wine, which in 2018, one of the greatest growing seasons in the last 40 years—potentially a rival to 2013 and 2016—delivered a great expression of the vintage and appellation. A rare bottling from a rare talent for a rare glimpse at Napa Sauvignon Blanc perfection.