A fruit-forward Sauvignon Blanc with bright acidity and notes of pineapple and guava.
Lodi, named the Wine Enthusiast Wine Region of the Year in 2015, produces more wine than Napa and Sonoma combined. Its Mediterranean climate and cool delta breezes are perfect for growing Sauvignon Blanc grapes.
CULT Wines
Cult is handcrafted by Napa Valley-born and raised wine veteran, Rich Salvestrin. Salvestrin is not only a third-generation grape grower, but after obtaining a degree in Viticulture from Fresno State, transformed the family business into his namesake St. Helena winery. Salvestrin garners exceptional reviews for their handcrafted estate-grown wines and sits predominately on Highway 29.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
It’s always an honor to get a lab rat delivery! Having received one or two before the SO says, “I think you have a Cellar Rat delivery”. I did correct him, but still both funny - and sort of correct?
It’s a 2020 Cult Blanc Sauvignon Blanc from Lodi. I do like Sauvignon Blancs, though not usually this time of year! But I will not complain about having to drink this. For context -I often enjoy New Zealand-style Sauvignon blancs (like Kim Crawford) - which are usually I’d call crisp, bright & citrus-y. I like the front label!
And here’s the back:
I had a day, so threw this in the fridge to enjoy on Friday. When Friday rolls around, I’m just finishing off work and about head downstairs & my house has been invaded by neighborhood kids with a plan to make donuts?! Let’s just say I’m extra grateful for the lab rat bottle (also coming off of a dry-ish January). The screw cap is perfect for my circumstances.
Light pale yellow (straw?) color.
Sniff - not much there. I don’t think my mild Covid last month affected my smell (thanks, vaccine!) - ok definitely not, I smell the chocolate donuts they’re cooking. Sniff again- maybe a bit of lemon & a bit of alcohol - just not much there and having to work too hard to get anything. Sip - hmm, not much flavor either - sort of watery. Maybe a slight bit of tartness in the center of my tongue (weird spot for that). I’m admittedly not great at describing flavors, but there’s just not much to describe. SO asks if it’s good & grabs a glass - similar feedback, and adds “It lacks body”.
There’s nothing offensive about it, it’d probably be good as a summer sipper / thirst quencher. It’s certainly drinkable (and we will drink it), but I had something else in mind & this didn’t do it for me.
@bdb Hmm, good question - I kind of gave up on it so didn’t take more notes. So I’d say probably a bit, but nothing noticeable enough to leave an impression. Again, easy to drink - and good for summer stock - just a solid meh for me.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations).
2020 CULT Sauvignon Blanc - $30 = 19.99%
Second rat here; apologies for not having the banner but I’m posting from my phone. I’ll edit to get the banner up ASAP. [mod: no need now]
First, thanks as always to the CM team for the opportunity!
I’ve only got one other picture to add, pics of the bottle and glass look almost exactly like salliu’s so no need to waste time with them. That picture is of the cap. Strange thing is when I went to open the bottle there was a sediment on the cap. First thought was “oh no, it leaked in storage/shipment.” Smelling the rim of the bottle I got strong odor of dessert wine. It was even stronger on the cap. I got a pic of the cap showing the sediment and will post it ASAP.
So, I wiped of the neck of the bottle with a cool wet cloth, and everything was fine after that. Hooray! I guess something spilled on my bottle maybe? Anyhow, it now smelled (in bottle) like an SB.
Poured a glass, and the noise and initial taste were right, but also very tame because it was too cold. So, I walked away from it so that it could warm up and breathe a little.
Came back 15-20 mins later and it had developed some in both flavor and nose. That said, it’s all still very soft and smooth, not quite as sharp as I’m used to from e.g. Marlborough SBs that I tend to favor.
I had a hard time getting specific aromas from the nose because of the overall softness of the wine, but the traditional grassiness was definitely present.
The mouth was tart and made me salivate. I got tropical undercurrents but couldn’t put my finger on them. I didn’t get the pistachio that was mentioned in the WS review posted by kaolis.
It was a fruit forward wine for sure, light acid, and very quaffable. This is a bottle that I’d expect to come in between $9-11, and that’s a decent value if you’re looking for solid all-purpose summer drinkers.
If you’re looking for a strong, robust SB, though, this probably isn’t it.
I drink Sauv Blanc all year round…but then I also drink iced tea and iced coffee all year round too…As lab rats - can ya’ll give me an idea of what you consider a more “robust” Sauv Blanc so I have a better guide to compare this to?
@amehzinggrace
both Rats mentioned alternatives they like, at least in general area, both from NZ:
New Zealand-style Sauvignon blancs (like Kim Crawford) and
Marlborough NZ
I think it’s hard to compare to the NZ ones (which I also enjoy at times) because I believe the tastes are quite different from what I like in a CA or Pacific Northwest sauvignon blanc.
Sometimes I like the New Zealand ones (Kim Crawford being the most widely-sold “good” one – there are more expensive ones of course, and also some lower-end ones (like at TJs) that haven’t impressed me that much.
But I have to be “in the mood” for that particular Marlborough SB flavor and intensity. Often I prefer the “calmer” flavor profile of the West-coast ones I mentioned. They often have more subtle fruit and herbal notes which I don’t get from the NZ ones, but lack the in-your-face punch of the NZs. Sometimes some nice minerality.
That said, I’m not sure what to think of this one (not having tasted it of course) based on rattage. It could just be that the more subtle flavors of this are a disappointment if someone was expecting the Marlborough NZ profile. On the other hand I don’t think of Lodi when I think of the CA sauvignon blancs that I like or am familiar with. I think ultimately it’s the price that makes me not sure about this one, because I know I can get very good SBs in the $9-13 region that have taste profiles I enjoy. This one might be OK, but it also might be more or less like something you could find at TJs for $6-9, and there you get to try one bottle and see if you like it, not risk buying a case.
2020 CULT Sauvignon Blanc, Lodi
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$216.00/Case for 12x 2020 CULT Sauvignon Blanc, Lodi at CULT Wines
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, Mar 3 - Monday, Mar 7
2020 CULT Sauvignon Blanc
6 bottles for $74.99 $12.50/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $119.99 $10/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
It’s always an honor to get a lab rat delivery! Having received one or two before the SO says, “I think you have a Cellar Rat delivery”. I did correct him, but still both funny - and sort of correct?
It’s a 2020 Cult Blanc Sauvignon Blanc from Lodi. I do like Sauvignon Blancs, though not usually this time of year! But I will not complain about having to drink this. For context -I often enjoy New Zealand-style Sauvignon blancs (like Kim Crawford) - which are usually I’d call crisp, bright & citrus-y. I like the front label!
And here’s the back:
I had a day, so threw this in the fridge to enjoy on Friday. When Friday rolls around, I’m just finishing off work and about head downstairs & my house has been invaded by neighborhood kids with a plan to make donuts?! Let’s just say I’m extra grateful for the lab rat bottle (also coming off of a dry-ish January). The screw cap is perfect for my circumstances.
Light pale yellow (straw?) color.
Sniff - not much there. I don’t think my mild Covid last month affected my smell (thanks, vaccine!) - ok definitely not, I smell the chocolate donuts they’re cooking. Sniff again- maybe a bit of lemon & a bit of alcohol - just not much there and having to work too hard to get anything. Sip - hmm, not much flavor either - sort of watery. Maybe a slight bit of tartness in the center of my tongue (weird spot for that). I’m admittedly not great at describing flavors, but there’s just not much to describe. SO asks if it’s good & grabs a glass - similar feedback, and adds “It lacks body”.
There’s nothing offensive about it, it’d probably be good as a summer sipper / thirst quencher. It’s certainly drinkable (and we will drink it), but I had something else in mind & this didn’t do it for me.
Thanks for the lab rat opportunity!
@sallliu Was it any more flavorful as it approached room temperature?
@bdb Hmm, good question - I kind of gave up on it so didn’t take more notes. So I’d say probably a bit, but nothing noticeable enough to leave an impression. Again, easy to drink - and good for summer stock - just a solid meh for me.
You asked for reviews? No? Well you get one anyway…ha! Of course Wine Enthusiast reviewed this wine so here you go…
82 Points. Floral and pistachio aromas are inviting before more spare flavors take over the rather tart palate. JG 12/1/21
https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/cult-2020-blanc-sauvignon-blanc-lodi/
fwiw
@kaolis @sallliu
from the Rat, sounds like this may have benefitted from a bit more of those ‘spare’ flavors and aromas
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations).
2020 CULT Sauvignon Blanc - $30 = 19.99%
Second rat here; apologies for not having the banner but I’m posting from my phone. I’ll edit to get the banner up ASAP. [mod: no need now]
First, thanks as always to the CM team for the opportunity!
I’ve only got one other picture to add, pics of the bottle and glass look almost exactly like salliu’s so no need to waste time with them. That picture is of the cap. Strange thing is when I went to open the bottle there was a sediment on the cap. First thought was “oh no, it leaked in storage/shipment.” Smelling the rim of the bottle I got strong odor of dessert wine. It was even stronger on the cap. I got a pic of the cap showing the sediment and will post it ASAP.
So, I wiped of the neck of the bottle with a cool wet cloth, and everything was fine after that. Hooray! I guess something spilled on my bottle maybe? Anyhow, it now smelled (in bottle) like an SB.
Poured a glass, and the noise and initial taste were right, but also very tame because it was too cold. So, I walked away from it so that it could warm up and breathe a little.
Came back 15-20 mins later and it had developed some in both flavor and nose. That said, it’s all still very soft and smooth, not quite as sharp as I’m used to from e.g. Marlborough SBs that I tend to favor.
I had a hard time getting specific aromas from the nose because of the overall softness of the wine, but the traditional grassiness was definitely present.
The mouth was tart and made me salivate. I got tropical undercurrents but couldn’t put my finger on them. I didn’t get the pistachio that was mentioned in the WS review posted by kaolis.
It was a fruit forward wine for sure, light acid, and very quaffable. This is a bottle that I’d expect to come in between $9-11, and that’s a decent value if you’re looking for solid all-purpose summer drinkers.
If you’re looking for a strong, robust SB, though, this probably isn’t it.
I drink Sauv Blanc all year round…but then I also drink iced tea and iced coffee all year round too…As lab rats - can ya’ll give me an idea of what you consider a more “robust” Sauv Blanc so I have a better guide to compare this to?
@amehzinggrace
both Rats mentioned alternatives they like, at least in general area, both from NZ:
New Zealand-style Sauvignon blancs (like Kim Crawford) and
Marlborough NZ
@amehzinggrace FYI, I recently tried the 2021 NZ SB from Allan Scott and it was excellent.
I think it’s hard to compare to the NZ ones (which I also enjoy at times) because I believe the tastes are quite different from what I like in a CA or Pacific Northwest sauvignon blanc.
Sometimes I like the New Zealand ones (Kim Crawford being the most widely-sold “good” one – there are more expensive ones of course, and also some lower-end ones (like at TJs) that haven’t impressed me that much.
But I have to be “in the mood” for that particular Marlborough SB flavor and intensity. Often I prefer the “calmer” flavor profile of the West-coast ones I mentioned. They often have more subtle fruit and herbal notes which I don’t get from the NZ ones, but lack the in-your-face punch of the NZs. Sometimes some nice minerality.
That said, I’m not sure what to think of this one (not having tasted it of course) based on rattage. It could just be that the more subtle flavors of this are a disappointment if someone was expecting the Marlborough NZ profile. On the other hand I don’t think of Lodi when I think of the CA sauvignon blancs that I like or am familiar with. I think ultimately it’s the price that makes me not sure about this one, because I know I can get very good SBs in the $9-13 region that have taste profiles I enjoy. This one might be OK, but it also might be more or less like something you could find at TJs for $6-9, and there you get to try one bottle and see if you like it, not risk buying a case.