2016 Sauvignon Blanc 500

Once again sourced entirely from 900 tightly spaced estate vines in the Deidesheimer Paradiesgarten and raised in largely new 500-liter barrels, this had only been in bottle for a couple of weeks when I tasted it in September 2017. Aromas and flavors of sage and pennyroyal make for an intense if slightly rustically rough performance, while smoky, saline savor lends further stimulation and some saliva-inducement to a gripping finish. I need to assess a Von Winning “Sauvignon 500” that’s had some years in the bottle – I note that the current offering from their importer is vintage 2014 – and then I’ll attempt to pass somewhat less speculative judgment on this bottling’s ageworthiness.