Managing editor Kim Marcus joined Wine Spectator in 1988. His tasting beats include Austria, Greece, southern France and the table wines of Portugal.

Kim Marcus
About Me
All My Picks
Weekly Picks Main Page
About Our Tastings

A Cool White for Spicy Cashews

Castle Rock Lake County Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Kim Marcus
Posted: October 26, 2009

I picked up some snack foods recently for a football game, including Thai lime and chile cashews. So what about a wine match for such a fiery combination?

The California Sauvignon Blanc I chose from Castle Rock Winery was just the ticket, with a minerally cast to the savory herb, green pea and citrus flavors, accented by touches of spice. The finish was clean, snappy and refreshing, given the power of the Thai spice. I rated it 87 points, non-blind.

Castle Rock, founded in 1994, is a no-frills outfit that makes wines at rented facilities throughout California, Oregon and Washington. This year it made 26 different varietal bottlings that are value-priced. The talented August “Joe” Briggs is consulting winemaker, and the fruit for the wine came entirely from California’s Lake County, one of the best appellations for value-priced Sauvignon Blancs in the state. Castle Rock’s 2008 version was a wallet-friendly $12 a bottle at my local wine shop.

WineSpectator.com members: Get our quick list of Top Values in California Sauvignon Blanc.