Medium straw color; lemon, pineapple, white peach, honeydew melon, golden apple, pear, grapefruit, spice, minerality on the nose and palate.
Dry; rich, full body; significant spice on the finish. Refreshing. Round. Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel, followed by partial sur lie aging in neutral barrels. Grapes come from a single vineyard in Monterey—San Lucas Vineyard—certified sustainably grown. Morning fog, dramatic diurnal shifts, and Lockwood Shaly Loam soil (fossilized seashells similar to limestone) is well-suited for sauvignon blanc and imparts a crisp minerality. 13.5% ABV
Tribute Wine began with five Benziger brothers. The eldest moved from New York to California to start a winery and convinced his dad, Bruno, to come and help, bringing the family with him. The website notes: “Building the winery from nothing and trying to tame a wild ranch into a vineyard, felt more like feats of strength on a game show than a concerted effort to accomplish something.”
Four decades later, the youngest, Chris Benziger, notes: “my brothers have retired or are working on their own pet projects. As I roll up my sleeves and step up to my time to lead, I couldn’t be more grateful to them for shaping the man and leader I am today. Tribute Wines are my way of honoring the journey we took together and the special bond we forged. In my family, the truly great moments were often the little ones, four generations around the dinner table on a random Tuesday or a hard day’s work wrapped up at our neighborhood bar. When I raise a glass of Tribute, it’s those times that come flooding back. So here’s to the big, little moments—may we create many more!”
Tribute Sauvignon Blanc, California 2022 is juicy, citrusy, with enlivening rush of spiciness on the finish. Refreshing, bright, crisp, fun. Good QPR (quality-price ratio). Works as a tasty warm weather patio wine or sipped with light snacks, charcuterie board. Pair with summer salad with tomatoes; fish and shellfish; Asian cuisine; vegetarian fare. Cheese—goat cheese is the default with sauv blanc; goat milk cheddar, gouda, havarti, monterey jack, muenster, parmesan, swiss. $14-17
Tribute Wine website, many good videos
