Merry Edwards, Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 2023

Sauvignon Blanc unlike almost any other in California. Merry Edwards became famous for Russian River Pinot Noir, but her Sauvignon Blanc is the quieter cult bottling: barrel-fermented in French oak, aged on lees, and given the kind of attention usually reserved for Bordeaux Blanc or top Sancerre. The result is a wine with the citrus-and-passionfruit lift of Sauvignon, but with creamy weight, smoky depth, and the ability to age for years. The estate is now part of the Louis Roederer group (since 2019), with Heidi von der Mehden — Merry's longtime protege — making the wine. 2023 is classic Russian River.