HOT TIP..UNDER $10

[Jerry D Mead]

BEST BUY
WHITE WINE OF THE WEEK
Chateau Souverain 1998 "Alexander Valley" Sauvignon Blanc ($9 or less) This is an unprecedented third perfect score for Sauvignon Blanc that I've given in the past six months, and they've all come from Sonoma County (the other two were 1997 Geyser Peak and 1996 Simi)! This is one beautiful and thoroughly delicious white wine. Every sip demands another. One hundred percent barrel-fermented, but only aged in barrel for about four months, so wood is not a major component of either bouquet or taste. Grapefruit and grapefruit zest, with some additional citrus (maybe just a hint of tangerine) and a little orange blossom aromatic. Dry but fruity to the point you could imagine a bit of sweetness. Winemaker Ed Killian wants to drink it with a lime-based civiche. The winery's publicist sees it with oysters on the half-shell. What pops up as my culinary vision is an old-fashioned, Sole Veronique, with extra grapes, please. Case purchases highly recommended. You won't tire of this one. Rating: 100/96

Wines scored using unique 100 point system. First number rates quality; second number rates value.