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Orin Swift Cellars Blank Stare Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Brand new release from Orin Swift! Inaugural vintage of the Blank Stare, a delicious Sauvignon Blanc from Russian River Valley. A blend of 95% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Semillon, it offers big tropical fruit notes on the nose with a subtle herbal nuance. Once it has a chance to breathe, the flavors are ripe and balanced with peach, pineapple, fig, white stone, butterscotch, baking spice and persistent clean minerals. The laser-beam focus is held together by loads of mouthwatering acidity. Fermented in 40% French oak and 60% stainless steel, the wine is rich yet fresh all at once. Proprietor Dave Phinney told us with childlike glee about the Semillon that makes this wine extra special. He was told by the powers at Gallo to, "Go find whatever fruit you want." Well, he came across a parcel of 127-year-old Semillon vines in the Montebello vineyard! The complexity and depth of flavor contained in this special group of grapes really puts Blank Stare over the top.
Ratings on Delectable
Sue Mohle 
Too much Boxwood and acid, unbalanced
Too much Boxwood and acid, unbalanced
7.9
Mark Mannebach
iMovie combination of Sav Blanc & moscato.
iMovie combination of Sav Blanc & moscato.
8.8Mark Mannebach
The moscato blended in Sav Blanc adds character and notes of orange blossom. Nice change of pace
The moscato blended in Sav Blanc adds character and notes of orange blossom. Nice change of pace
8.9
JT
honeydew, grapefruit, slate so creamy
honeydew, grapefruit, slate so creamy
9.9
Ray Vanderhoff
Sauv Blanc (blended with 5% Semillon) on steroids. Big nose of lemon, peach and a hint of fresh cut grass. Lemony on the pallet with just a hint of oak (wine is blended with both Steel and Oak fermented SB) and wet stone. Beautifully balanced with a long finish. Looking loads of acidity. At 15% alcohol, a bit of a powerhouse. Enjoyed at a Tasting at The Irving Inn. Revisited in May 2020. Above notes still apply. The oak is a bit more pronounced in this bottle, which makes it even more “Fume’ Blanc” in style.
Sauv Blanc (blended with 5% Semillon) on steroids. Big nose of lemon, peach and a hint of fresh cut grass. Lemony on the pallet with just a hint of oak (wine is blended with both Steel and Oak fermented SB) and wet stone. Beautifully balanced with a long finish. Looking loads of acidity. At 15% alcohol, a bit of a powerhouse. Enjoyed at a Tasting at The Irving Inn. Revisited in May 2020. Above notes still apply. The oak is a bit more pronounced in this bottle, which makes it even more “Fume’ Blanc” in style.
9.2
Michael Himmel
We did a blind tasting on this and the net result was: $20 Sancerre....
We did a blind tasting on this and the net result was: $20 Sancerre....
8.6
Jo Anne B
Nothing can compare to Kim’s Blank stare.
Nothing can compare to Kim’s Blank stare.
8.7
Kim Stanbro
Well balanced. Smooth. Great snacks al fresco with neighbors.
Well balanced. Smooth. Great snacks al fresco with neighbors.
9.0Kim Stanbro
Perfect summer sipper. Strong pear on the nose. Pirates in the harbor.
Perfect summer sipper. Strong pear on the nose. Pirates in the harbor.
9.2Dan Michael
Great new release from master Dave Phinney, crisp white grapefruit on the nose and the palate, rounded out by old vine semillon from the historic Monte Rosso vineyard gives it breadth and length, a stunner with the sweet wild gulf shrimp and fresh pesto on our fettuccine, yum!
Great new release from master Dave Phinney, crisp white grapefruit on the nose and the palate, rounded out by old vine semillon from the historic Monte Rosso vineyard gives it breadth and length, a stunner with the sweet wild gulf shrimp and fresh pesto on our fettuccine, yum!
9.2
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