Made from a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon, the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc Stillwater Creek Vineyard opens with citrus and waxy stone fruit on the nose, offering aromas of lemon drop, dried apricot and white peach along with an essence dusty citrus blossom. Medium-bodied, the wine shows volume and texture across the mid-palate, with a peachy core of fruits and energetic acidity and lingering with a soft phenolic bitterness that is food-friendly and pleasing. Nicely done.

After a round of corked bottles, the 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Stillwater Creek Vineyard opens with a clearly defined nose of lemon and soft grapefruit rind before showing a mineral core and touches of oak with nuances of vanilla and toasted almond. Medium-bodied, the palate is crisp and clean, with a textural nutty sensation and oak spices on the mid-palate. It lingers on the finish with flavors of dusty lemon peel. 1,540 cases produced.

Blended with a highly efficacious 20% of Semillon and matured entirely in barrique (albeit mostly well-used), Novelty Hill’s 2011 Sauvignon Blanc Stillwater Creek Vineyard offers a superb demonstration of this dramatically wind-exposed site’s white wine potential, as well as terrific value. Scents and luscious juiciness of honeydew and musk melons are tinged with almond extract and ginger, and for all of its sense of lushness, this finishes with rapier penetration, clarity, refreshment and invigoration, all against a sounding board of wet stone that would turn a Riesling (admittedly) already green envious. This is apt to delight for at least another couple of years, though don’t miss enjoying some as soon as possible. (Given a thousand case production, your chances of being able to do so are pretty good.) Novelty Hill wines are made by veteran Mike Januik in the same (deluxe, now five year old) facility as are his Januik wines (reviewed separately in this report), but is a partnership with Tom Alberg and Judi Beck that originated when in 2000 they consulted with Januik on the establishment of what became Stillwater Creek Vineyard. Unsurprisingly, that inspirational Frenchman Hills site (for a bit more about which, see my comments in the introduction to this report) is the source for around one-third the volume of Novelty Hill’s wines (and is, incidentally, where I tasted them). While there are a number of excellent white wines on this roster, it should be borne in mind that more than three-quarters of Novelty Hill production is red, vinified along the lines sketched in my account of Januik wines in the present report. Tel. (425) 481-5502

Novelty Hill’s white wines begin with the 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Stillwater Creek Vineyard which was blended with 20% Semillon. Melon, citrus, and cut grass aromas inform the nose of a lively, savory, concentrated wine with excellent balance and length. Drink this tasty effort over the next 1-2 years. Novelty Hill and Stillwater Creek Vineyard are owned by Tom Alberg. The vineyard, located on the Royal Slope of the Frenchman Hills (way off the beaten path), was planted in 2000 and has acquired a reputation for the high quality of its fruit.Tel. (425) 481-8317; www.noveltyhillwines.com

A generous mix of lime, rock, pineapple, vanilla wafer and still more detailed notes that suggest orange, papaya and lemon verbena. Still young and a bit hard; this fine value should be cellarable for up to five years. ——P.G.(11/1/2011)—— 91