The Wine Idiot Reviews: Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc, 2014 ($9.99)
I bought this a super long time ago on sale at Target, but when I went to take pictures the light was so bad they were all unusable, so I tossed my review. I figured it wasn't such a loss because it wasn't a Trader Joe's wine, anyway.
And then...of course...I started seeing TONS of Joel Gott wine at Trader Joe's. I thought maybe it was just a phase, and they'd disappear from the shelves. No such luck--if anything TJ's started carrying MORE, like all the varieties.
Now, the first time around, this wine hadn't made a terrible impression. I didn't remember anything I liked about it, but I didn't remember anything I HATED, either. So it was probably worth another shot.
That's kind of how I feel about it the second time round. Like, I probably wouldn't go buy this again, but I don't regret trying it. I think I tasted variations of pineapple, lime, and maybe starfruit? It's quite tangy. Honestly, the finish is what I would call "sour." And none of it would I necessarily call "grassy," which is what I've come to realize is my favorite aspect of sauvignon blancs (like that delicious Kono). So if the tropical fruit aspect of sauvignon blanc is your thing, this might be a good cheap bottle for you.
I drank it over two days, and on the second day the finish was a little less sour but way more alcohol-y. So really, if I were you, and I didn't mind a middle-of-the-road sauvignon blanc, I'd buy the Block 67 boxed Sauvignon Blanc for two more dollars, have four times as much non-offensive wine to drink, and not have to deal with a weird finish (thanks to the airtight seal).
What the bottle says: "Enjoy. JOEL GOTT. gottwines.com"
What the Wine Idiot says: I have to wonder if they intended their website to be a pun on "got milk."
ABV: 13.9% (and this must be why it tastes so alcohol-y the second day, the boxed sauvignon blanc's ABV is only 13%)
Who's responsible for this? "Cellared and bottled by Joel Gott Wines, Napa, CA"
Do I need a corkscrew? Nope. Screw-top.
What do smarter people say about it? Whoa. Apparently...I missed the mark on this one? So I found two reviews I want to share. This first one from Tastings.com...this is just fucking nuts, I'm sorry:
Straw green color. Delicate aromas and flavors of grapefruit custard, pickled pepper, and lemon chiffon with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a seamless, amusing, medium-long melon, lime, passionfruit, and wheatgrass finish with silky, fruit tannins and no oak. A smooth and even sauvignon blanc with a snappy finish.
WHAT?! First of all, I originally read that as a "medium-long melon" and I was all WHAT EVEN IS A MEDIUM-LONG MELON??? Also, I'm gonna call you on your bullshit and guess you have NEVER HAD GRAPEFRUIT CUSTARD. Because I have never even heard of such a thing. And I'm sorry, "pickled pepper"??? Doubt it.
So I was just gonna laugh and end this with a snooty "agree to disagree." But then...
I saw that K&L Wine Merchants, one of my favorite non-TJ's wine stores, really liked this, too. And they have never steered me wrong. So...here's how they weigh in:
Aging this well-balanced Sauvignon Blanc in stainless steel preserves the intense fruit aromas and flavors without the cloaking presence of malolactic fermentation. The screw cap enclosure and the UV safe green glass package ensure that this wine maintains freshness throughout its life. Put simply, this is one of our favorite wines to drink regardless of season or spread; it is bright and crisp year round.
Sorry, gang. I maybe don't know what I'm talking about. But I'm gonna stand by my earlier conclusion and say if you're willing to spend $10 on this bottle, you may as well spend $12 on a whole box that contains four bottles of wine.
Should I bring it to a friend's house? If you suspect your friend enjoys medium-long melons and grapefruit custard, sure thing.
