25 Mar Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Crocker & Starr 2024 Estate Sauvignon Blanc, St. Helena, Napa Valley

When my friend came over to watch TV and catch up, we decided to order in Chinese food, and I knew exactly which wine to open. Chinese dishes often balance sweet, savory, salty, and spicy flavors, and Sauvignon Blanc is one of those wines that can handle it all – especially the Crocker & Starr 2024 Estate Sauvignon Blanc from St. Helena, the Please the Palate wine of the week.

About Crocker & Starr

Crocker & Starr is located on the historic Crocker Estate in St. Helena in Napa Valley. Pam Starr, who began working at Spottswoode Vineyard & Winery in 1991, met Charlie Crocker and together, in 1997, they established Crocker & Starr, with the goal to resurrect the historic estate that has been farmed since the late 1880s. Pam’s first initiative was to transition the entire vineyard to organic farming. And, in 1998, another of Pam’s early initiatives was to plant Sauvignon Blanc on the estate. This decision helped establish Crocker & Starr as a benchmark Napa Valley producer of Sauvignon Blanc.

Tasting Notes

The Crocker & Starr Sauvignon Blanc is sourced entirely from the 85-acre estate vineyard in St. Helena. The grapes are whole-cluster pressed and fermented in a mix of vessels, including concrete egg, stainless steel, and neutral oak, and then aged for nine months. The different vessels build texture and complexity while maintaining the freshness and energy that are typical of Sauvignon Blanc

The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc opens with vibrant aromas of tropical fruit, white nectarine, yellow peach, green apple, and citrus. On the palate, the wine has bright acidity and is fresh but also had texture and a complexity on the palate. The wine offers a savory, mineral-driven finish. But this wine is more than its aromatics, as it is textured and smooth on the palate.

Food Pairing

The wine is fresh and bright but it is the texture that makes this wine so food friendly. It is typical to pair Sauvignon Blanc with seafood, salads, and lighter dishes. But it is also a great wine to pair with multiple flavors, such as with Chinese food. The acidity cut through the richer dishes and fried dishes while also complementing the savory flavors.

Where To Purchase

The Crocker & Starr 2024 Estate Sauvignon Blanc, St. Helena, Napa Valley retails for $55 and is available to Crocker & Starr wine club members.

Meet The Winemaker

Meet Pam Starr and get to know her in 30 questions on the Wine Soundtrack USA podcast.