The Zippy, Top-Rated Sauvignon Blancs We’re Drinking Right Now

Bright, crisp and zesty, there are few better summer wines than Sauvignon Blanc. And these bottles are among the best available now. [...] Read More... The post The Zippy, Top-Rated Sauvignon Blancs We’re Drinking Right Now appeared first on Wine Enthusiast.

Apr 25, 2025 - 20:55

Bright, crisp and zesty, there are few better summer wines than Sauvignon Blanc. (Though these Chardonnays are looking pretty delicious and refreshing right now, too!) Hailing from France, this white grape is now planted all over the world, with popular bottlings from its homeland as well as New Zealand, Italy, the United States and beyond.

We admit the word “best” is fairly subjective, as Sauv Blanc preferences can vary greatly from person to person. For this list, however, we selected the best Sauvignon Blancs we are currently drinking. After all, our favorites will always change depending on what’s available and what’s singing at a given moment.

Read on for the list.

New Zealand

Few places have made a grape variety their calling card the way New Zealand—and especially the region of Marlborough—have with Sauvignon Blanc.

Christina Pickard, who reviews New Zealand bottlings for Wine Enthusiast, puts it plainly. “Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs are never short on fruit,” she says. “In fact, that pop of citrus, tropical and passionfruit—along with green herbal and summer vegetable garden characters—is what makes this wine style so recognizable and so wildly popular across the globe.”

But, as Pickard also notes, there’s far more variety here than the reputation for zingy freshness might suggest.

“As this trio of wines demonstrates, Marlborough Sauvy Bs are hardly homogenous,” Pickard says. “In fact, two of the wines below, Dog Point 2021 Section 94 and Staete Landt 2021 Duchess, are barrel fermented, like many of their French counterparts. It’s an increasingly common departure from the more widespread crisp-and-clean stainless steel ferment.”

Meanwhile, Clos Henri’s 2023 Otira Glacial Stones, “happens to be made by a Frenchman (Damien Yvon). He’s used wild yeast and extended lees contact to coax out the variety’s salty, flinty minerality while still celebrating its inherently bright fruit and zippy freshness,” Pickard explains.

Clos Henri 2023 Otira Glacial Stones Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)

A vibrant light gold color, this complex Sauvignon, from one of Marlborough’s top producers, is, frankly, a bargain for the quality. There’s a thread of salty, flinty minerality that runs through white grapefruit, lime and passion fruit notes. A pithy, crunchy texture and a punch of citrus flavor lingers on the long finish. A classy drop. 94 points. Editor’s Choice. — Christina Pickard $26 Wine.com

Dog Point 2021 Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)

From a single vineyard and aged in old French oak, this wine—always one of New Zealand’s most distinctive Sauvignon Blancs—opens with intensely reductive, sulfuric aromas of struck match, grilled nuts over a smoky fire and buttered toast. The fruit comes on the second beat, with whiffs of baked lemon and passion fruit. Then, on the palate, it all seems to coalesce, with bright acidity, a rich, creamy texture and concentrated flavors pulsing to a very long finish. A love-it-or-hate-it style, but a well-made drop in any case. 94 points. — C.P. $50 Station Plaza Wines

Staete Landt 2021 Duchess Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)

Fermented and matured in old oak barriques that add a rich, textural element as well as a gold hue, this opens with aromas of lemon, lime peel and a little toast. The citrus flows all the way through on the palate to the finish and acidity buoys. A food-friendly drop at peak now and over the next few years. 93 points. — C.P. $33 Total Wine

California

California’s expansive wine regions offer a tapestry of Sauvignon Blanc styles, reflecting the Golden State’s varied climates and winemaking philosophies. From the foggy valleys of Mendocino to the sun-drenched vineyards in Napa, Sauvignon Blanc can thrive in California’s diverse terroirs.

“There is a thumbprint being shown region by region in California,” says Tonya Pitts, Wine Enthusiast Writer-at-Large and Californian wine reviewer. “It’s great to see the range of style and flavor profile vary by region.”

That regional character shines through in the selections below, with each bottle telling a slightly different story.

In Napa, Grgich Hills’ 2021 Fumé Blanc continues the legacy of barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc with a layered expression of flint, citrus pith and palate-refreshing energy.

Down in Happy Canyon, in Santa Barbara County’s Santa Ynez Valley, Dragonette’s 2022 Vogelzang Vineyard bottling brings heft and richness to the mouthfeel, with notes of guava, pear and tropical flowers dominating the nose.

Over in Mendocino, Saracina’s 2023 Sauvignon Blanc offers “the ultimate Old Vine SB experience,” Pitts says, with dried herbs on the nose and brûléed orange slices on the palate.

Grgich Hills 2021 Fumé Blanc Estate Grown Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley)

Vibrant and generous aromatics lead to a flavorful palate and lingering finish. This wine offers a tantalizing combination of flinty aromas, pithy citrus flavors and an energizing, palate-refreshing presence. 95 points. — Elaine Chukan Brown Zachys

Dragonette 2022 Vogelzang Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara)

This is an attention-grabbing, and attention-holding, Sauv Blanc. Aromas of guava, pear, melon and tropical flower show on the hefty nose. The palate is fresh with more tropical flavors that work well atop a richer mouthfeel. 95 points. Editor’s Choice. — Matt Kettmann $60 Woodland Hills Wine Co.

Saracina 2023 Sauvignon Blanc (Mendocino)

This wine is rich, zesty, with aromas of pineapple, mango, citrus blossom, and dried herbs on the nose. The flavors on the palate are Golden delicious apple, brulee orange slices, Meyer lemon cream, dried herbs, and a long mouth watering finish. The ultimate Old Vine SB experience. Pair with Grilled Spot Prawns, Dandelion Salad. 95 points. — Tonya Pitts $24 Wine.com

Italy

The foothills of the Alps produce some of the most quietly stunning Sauvignon Blancs in the world. In Alto Adige, elevation and diurnal shifts give wines a clarity that’s both refreshing and powerful.

Jeff Porter, a Wine Enthusiast writer at large who reviews Northern Italy, says it best: “These wines are driven by their mountain extremes—warm days and cool nights—so ample aromas and flavors but with vibrant acidity and stony minerality.”

There’s less of the herbal edge typical of other regions, and more of a citrus-bright profile accented by alpine herbs.

“Their palate tends to be broad but with electric acidity, so the wine fills the mouth but then zips like lightning,” Porter adds. Cantina Terlano’s 2022 Quarz, Gump Hof’s 2022 Praesulis and Elena Walch’s 2022 Castel Ringberg are standout examples of the region’s pristine, age-worthy style.

Cantina Terlano 2022 Quarz Sauvignon Blanc (Alto Adige)

This vintage showcases a broad and lush profile, with a delightful interplay of rich, creamy citrus fruits and vibrant tartness. The nose is inviting, offering a harmonious blend of ripe citrus notes, complemented by fresh mint and basil accents. On the palate, the wine’s ample texture is balanced by a lively acidity, creating a delightful tension that keeps the flavors focused and energetic. 94 points. — Jeff Porter $90 Wine.com

Gump Hof Markus Prackwieser 2022 Praesulis Sauvignon Blanc (Alto Adige)

The nose is intriguing, with a subtle, slightly funky aroma reminiscent of exotic passion fruit and heady jasmine blossoms, reduced to a delicate, almost ethereal point. Light floral notes dance alongside a hint of fresh-cut grass and green bell pepper. Delicate citrus whispers of lime zest linger in the background. The palate is refreshing and understated, making this wine an easy-drinking choice for any occasion, particularly as an aperitif or paired with light seafood dishes. 94 points. Editor’s Choice. — J.P. $35 Astor Wines

Elena Walch 2022 Castel Ringberg Sauvignon (Alto Adige)

Rich and round, this Sauvignon Blanc offers a creamy citrus note alongside a well-structured profile. It impresses with complex aromas and flavors, ranging from dehydrated citrus wheels and zesty orange sherbet to lime leaf and crushed herbs. A solid, very good wine that combines richness with intricate, refreshing details. Drink Now – 2030. 93 points. — J.P. $42 Wine.com

Bordeaux

While Bordeaux is perhaps best known for its reds, its whites—especially those from Pessac-Léognan and select parts of the Graves—offer some of the most elegant expressions of Sauvignon Blanc. Often blended with Sémillon and aged in oak, these wines show texture and gravitas.

But, while there are bottles whose status and cost reflect that gravitas, Wine Enthusiast writer at large and Bordelais wine reviewer Roger Voss explains: “The range is wide, from wines under $15 to some sold for more than $200, so there is plenty of choice. From crisp, young wines, dominated by herbal and citrus flavors to serious wood-aged wine that will last for many years.”

The 2021 Pavillon Blanc from Château Margaux, while certainly on the pricier side, is a benchmark—intensely aromatic and luxuriously layered with tropical fruits, toast and an herbal bite.

Château la Louvière and Château de Cruzeau represent the sweet spot of quality and price, offering the creamy mouthfeel and balanced acid that make white Bordeaux so food-friendly and cellar-worthy.

Château Margaux 2021 Pavillon Blanc (Bordeaux Blanc)

This pure Sauvignon Blanc wine shows citrus and apricot aromas. Its herbal edge is enriched with toast, green spices, acidity and final layers of tropical fruits. The wine is likely to be ready from 2026. 96 points. Cellar Selection.— Roger Voss $325 Plume Ridge

Château la Louvière 2021 Pessac-Léognan

Pure Sauvignon Blanc gives a citrus character, enhanced by the wood aging that gives spicy, toasty notes. It is a ripe wine with a fresh edge. Drink from 2025. 95 points. — R.V. $45 Fine Wine & Good Spirits

Château de Cruzeau 2021 Pessac-Léognan

A ripe citrus wine with acidity also hints of tropical fruits. It is a smoothly textured wine that comes from a Lurton-owned estate. Drink this fresh wine from 2025. 93 points. — R.V. $29 Chain Bridge Cellars

Sancerre

“Sancerre is the paragon to which all Sauvignon Blanc on the planet is inevitably compared,” says Reggie Solomon, Wine Enthusiast writer at large and reviewer of the Loire Valley.

While traditionally associated with grassy and herbal notes, Solomon points out that these wines have “become fuller and more robust in the last decade while still retaining attractive acidity and minerality.”

The best bottles—like Laporte’s 2022 Le Grand Rochoy, Domaine Merlin Cherrier’s 2022 Grand Chemarin and Henri Bourgeois’ 2022 d’Antan—show Sauvignon Blanc’s potential for elegance and complexity. Some see lees aging and even subtle oak, elevating gently ripened fruit to a new level.
And while Sancerre dominates wine lists, Solomon reminds us not to sleep on neighbors like Menetou-Salon and Pouilly-Fumé, which “offer value with similar depth of flavor” and definitely deserve attention.

Laporte 2022 Le Grand Rochoy Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre)

This elegant Sancerre is confident in its own skin. Golden apple, freshly cut grass, sage brush and dried white blossom open on the perfumed nose along with subtle hints of vanilla baking spice. The wine saunters across your midpalate with well-integrated flavors that are in chorus with the nose. 94 points. Editor’s Choice. — Reggie Solomon $54 The Warehouse Wine Company

Domaine Merlin Cherrier 2022 Grand Chemarin Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre)

This wine will impress the seasoned wine lover as well as the wine newbie at your table. The wine begins with a freshly-baked brioche-filled nose that evolves into baked green apple, yogurt, ripe green pear and honeysuckle jam. Slightly-creamy in texture with a healthy acid structure, it has well-balanced elements of development and freshness. The elegant wine begs for repeated sips. 94 points. Editor’s Choice. — R.S. $38 Solano Cellars

Henri Bourgeois 2022 d’Antan Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre)

A dusting of vanilla baking spice opens on the flinty nose along with apple pie and green pear. Acidity and fruit dance with each other on the palate with summer-warmed orchard fruit taking the lead in the last half of the taste. Drink now through 2030. 94 points. — R.S. $57 Wine.com