Matthews 2007 Stillwater Creek Sauvignon Blanc

*Bottle #34: Matthews Cellars 2007 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

*Price: $22

*Running Tab: $447 (free for me!)

I'll let you in on a little industry gossip the www. winery sites won't share with you on their event pages... But you've got to keep this just between the two of us, XOXO Gossip Girl, BFFL and all that good stuff.

The eight-acre estate of Matthews Cellars is one of Woodinville, Washington's prominent wine names, synonymous with the equally renowned winemaker Matt Loso. Rumor has it, the 2007 vintage was his last with the label under his own name...

The politics of this trade seem to fly more under the radar than our friends in the financial district. Cough WaMu/JP Morgan Chase cough. But they are nontheless still there... 

Loso was one of the three suits behind the winery's name and it seems his tie was revoked as his portion was bought out and the grape genius is no longer involved for reasons unknown...

In respect to his final vintage before Loso inevitably chooses to stand solo as an independent winemaking consultant (it's in the makings...), I've decided to go with one of his lesser known knacks - white wine.

The 2007 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc was crafted under the master hands of a man who channels his thoughts on Bordeaux-style red blends. Keeping it all in the family, he selected the white Bordeaux of Sauvignon Blanc (Semillon is the other white from the French region and typically is blended with ol' SB). 

Only 221 cases of this varietal was produced and was eclectically aged for six months in concrete egg, stainless steel and neutral French oak, giving it an array of characteristics.

Picture that cute little pigtailed blonde in the Welch's grape juice commercials and how she flips when there's a white grape juice. That was me smelling this Sauv Blanc. Complete Welch's white grape juice highlighted with fresh cut green grass and crisp, just-squeezed lemon juice. After the wine opened up (it was a little too chilly at first), the aroma gave off a mineral note backed by some tart grapefruit and more citrus.

Acidic, but rightly so with this classic varietal. The initial taste was a bit of an acid attack on the tongue, but followed smoothly with that mineral note and a slightly oaky tone from its time spend in a barrel. The mid-palate brought out some tropical fruits but held strong and statuesque in its minerality. 

At 14.3% alcohol by volume, Matt did not miss a beat form one of the most powerful elements of his red blends - the booze factor. Nearing on too prevalent, there was a steady rush of heat flushing down my throat and into my chest with this wine. I always find the higher alcohol content wines affect me that way... Needless to say, I was in a great mood shortly after consumption. 

Coming down from the buzz, reality hits that Matthews wines will never be the same again. RIP Matthews Cellars, whether or not the name stays, the brains behind the outfit has left the building. 

Score: 8.