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, Australia, the United States and beyond.
We admit the word “best” is fairly subjective, as Sauvignon preferences are going to 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.
Without any further delay, here are some of the best Sauvignon Blancs from all over the world at different price points.
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The Best Sauvignon Blanc to Drink Right Now
Best Splurge Sauvignon Blanc
Château Margaux 2021 Pavillon Blanc de Château Margaux (Bordeaux Blanc)
95 Points Wine Enthusiast
The wine, as always, shows a tropical side of Sauvignon Blanc. Having said that, the wine also has the purity of mineral acidity and citrus freshness. Wood aging has softened the intensity of the fruit and rounded out the wine. Drink from 2026. —Roger Voss
$ Varies Wine-SearcherLail 2019 Georgia Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley)
95 Points Wine Enthusiast
Fermented and aged 21 months in French oak, 70% of it new, this sophisticatedm complex and structured white is from a three-acre site that is dry-farmed. Viscous, textured and high-toned, it has flavors of lemon peel, wet stone and grapefruit as well as an earthy embrace of dried herb and lemongrass. — Virginie Boone
$165 VivinoBest Oak Barrel Sauvignon Blanc
Cliff Lede 2021 Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley)
94 Points Wine Enthusiast
This is an outstanding white, with 91% Sauvignon Blanc, 8% Sémillon and 1% Sauvignon Vert, fermented in 92% French oak and the remainder in stainless-steel tanks and concrete eggs. Bright and fresh in peach and wet stone, it is nicely textured, with just enough weight and breadth to add complexity and structure. Editor’s Choice —V.B.
$38 VivinoBrander 2021 Cuvée Nicolas Sauvignon Blanc (Los Olivos District)
92 Points Wine Enthusiast
The usage of oak barrels in this Sauvignon Blanc adds a plush, floral note on the nose of light honeysuckle alongside crisp and tart lemon scents. The palate is very stony in structure and taste, with wet-stone flavors playing against the gardenia and white-rose elements. Editor’s Choice —Matt Kettmann
$26 Wine.comBest Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Henri Bourgeois 2018 Etienne Henri (Sancerre)
94 Points Wine Enthusiast
The wine celebrates the founder of the Bourgeois business. It is a powerful wine for Sauvignon Blanc, giving great richness, touches of spice and overlying acidity. The wine’s aging potential is considerable. Drink from 2024. Cellar Selection —R.V.
$ Varies Wine-SearcherDomaine des Berthiers 2021 Jean-Claude Dagueneau Saint-Andelain (Pouilly-Fumé)
93 Points Wine Enthusiast
From one of the group of Dagueneaus in the little village of Saint-Andelain, this wine is taut, textured and mineral. The ripe, complex character will be impressive as the wine matures. Drink later this year. Editor’s Choice —R.V.
$ Varies Wine-SearcherDomaine Masson-Blondelet 2021 Thauvenay (Sancerre)
92 Points Wine Enthusiast
Balanced and fruity, this wine is dense, showing layers of white fruits and textured acidity. It is a ripe wine, the zesty character muted by the generosity. Drink from 2024. —R.V.
$ Varies Wine-SearcherBest Grassy Sauvignon Blanc
Husch 2021 Sustainably Farmed Sauvignon Blanc (Mendocino)
90 Points Wine Enthusiast
A heady aroma of fresh veggies leads to vibrant flavors of celery, snap peas and fresh-squeezed lime juice in this medium-bodied, superfresh and varietally correct wine. —Jim Gordon
$ Varies Wine-SearcherBest New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
Astrolabe 2020 Kekerengu Coast Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)
93 Points Wine Enthusiast
Astrolabe consistently delivers Sauvignons of balance and refreshment, and this bottle doesn’t disappoint. The nose is rich with aromas of stone fruit, guava and honeysuckle. There’s a lovely textural roundness in the mouth that’s buoyed by crunchy acidity. Layers of food friendly flavor finish longer with citrus and spice. Drink now and over the next few years. Editor’s Choice —Christina Pickard
$32 VivinoNautilus 2022 Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)
92 Points Wine Enthusiast
Like the shell pictured on its label, there’s quite a bit of saline oyster shell, flint and smoky reductive notes to start on this classy Sauvignon. The lime and passion fruit aromas, along with dried green herbs, peek through the cracks. Flint and shell nuances continue on the palate. Some chalky textural weigh counterbalances the fleshy fruit and crisp acidity. There’s a lingering lime and herb finish. Food friendly and affordable, this has the ability to age until around 2028. Best Buy —C.P.
$16 VivinoBest Sauvignon Blanc to Drink with Tacos
J. Lohr 2021 Flume Crossing Sauvignon Blanc (Arroyo Seco)
91 Points Wine Enthusiast
This widely available bottling packs a ton of bang for the buck. Aromas of grass, crisp lime and crushed cement are fresh and easy to enjoy. There’s a jalapeno kick to the sip, where a grippy structure clings to passionfruit and green apple flavors. Editor’s Choice —M.K.
$18 Wine-SearcherVignobles André Lurton 2021 Diane by Jacques Lurton Sauvignon Blanc (Entre-Deux-Mers)
90 Points Wine Enthusiast
Intense white fruits are filled with both citrus and ripe kiwi flavors. It is full, with white currant fruits and minerality. The wine, from vines at the Lurton family’s Château Bonnet, is ageworthy. Drink from 2023. — R.V.
$ Varies Wine-SeacherBest Budget Sauvignon Blanc
Noble Vines 2021 242 Sauvignon Blanc (Monterey)
90 Points Wine Enthusiast
This widely available wine hits the nose with lemon, lime and crushed cement as well as a light jalapeno scent. That becomes an ever sharper serrano note on the palate, where it meets with tart apple flavors. Best Buy —M.K.
$11 Wine.comFerruccio Sgubin 2021 Sauvignon (Collio)
89 Points Wine Enthusiast
This classic Sauvignon Blanc shows aromas of lemon, fresh green herb and boxwood. The palate is vibrant and fresh with lively acidity and tons of mixed citrus notes. It has a pleasant grapefruit-pith finish. Best Buy —Jeff Porter
$ Varies Wine-SearcherFAQs
What Is the Best Sauvignon Blanc?
Whichever one you happen to be drinking! Of note, the Loire Valley’s Sancerre region produces some of the most lauded Sauvignon Blancs in the world. But Bordeaux, California, New Zealand’s Marlborough and other regions produce exceptional bottles, too.
What Cheese Goes Best with Sauvignon Blanc?
Sauvignon pairs well with a wide array of cheeses. They include fresh cheeses like mozzarella, burrata, chèvre and feta, to name a few examples. This white wine also pairs well with bloomy cheese like Camembert, Brie and others.
What Temperature Do You Serve Sauvignon Blanc?
Sauvignon Blanc should be served at 45-49°F, to fully appreciate its acidity and freshness.
What Does Sauvignon Blanc Taste Like?
Sauvignon Blanc is very expressive of its terroir, so its aromas and flavor notes will vary depending on where it is produced. But, typically, this white grape is high in acidity and “full-flavored with mineral, grass and grapefruit notes.” It also delivers light to moderately high alcohol, depending on the climate.
Published: April 17, 2023