About 18 months ago while in the Napa Valley, I stopped in at the Napa Trader Joe’s store in the Bel Aire Plaza. The wine guy told me to try a bottle of the Ruston Cuvée Simone for $9.99. There was only one case left of what was an 8-case allotment at the store. I tried the wine out in the parking lot and immediately went back and bought the rest of the case.
While shopping at TJ’s on Monday, I spotted the Ruston 2008 Sauvignon Blanc on the shelf for $6.99. It has no UPC code on the label so the checker had to ask for a price. I chilled the wine for about an hour and a half before trying a sip or two. Wow! What an amazing Sauvignon Blanc. The mouth feel is quite full with a bit of creaminess. The aroma has a touch of honey and melon but no big citrus like most California S.B. wines. The finish is long and full. I used the Wine-Searcher to find out where the wine is being sold. There was only one wine shop, the Woodland Hills Wine Company, selling this wine for $14.99.
I called the winery and talk to the owner John Ruston. John explained he is clearing inventory and Trader Joe’s is quick and handy when you want to do this in a hurry. John told me that a small amount of the wine was barrel fermented in neutral oak barrels, hence the fuller mouth feel. 10% of the wine is Semillon and the rest Sauvignon Blanc, all from the Gamble Vineyard in Yountville that is entirely organically farmed. This wine is an excellent value at $6.99. John thinks that each store has been allocated only 2 cases, so act fast if you are interested in this wine.
I looked up the wine on the Wine Advocate and Robert Parker’s team gave this wine an 89-point rating.
I received a note from John Ruston that this Sauvignon Blanc is only in Northern California TJ stores. My local store is getting in a few cases this evening and I have a hold on one of those. Some stores are totally sold out. Call before you go treasure hunting for this wine.
Joe
Great wine, much creamier than your typical SB due to the oak, Semillon, and the fact this is a super-hot SB at 14.7% alcohol! This one will make you tipsy quickly
Plus, I think this S.B. will last a couple of years in the cellar.
How so? I’m a wine noob, didn’t know you could age an SB.
S.B.’s do not age. Because this one has some oak it will not go south over the next couple of years.
The alcohol is a little high, I do not agree that it will not age because it does have a small amount of Semillon, besides at this price why not enjoy it now. Just had a bottle tonight with a friend – a big salad topped with sliced bbq chicken breast – yum
I agree, drink now because the wine is so tasty!
Anyone want two? I’ll trade both for Kaiken Ultra Malbec or another South American red.
Or maybe a bottle of Frog’s Leap 2009 Rutherford SB. I live in SF, near Fort Mason.