There's a genuine case to be made that Robert Mondavi made California wine a success, through tireless evangelizing and education on his part (and that of his winery) in the seventies and eighties, when to a lot of people, wine meant Gallo jug wines, or "the good stuff," imported from centuries old European wineries.

The aroma has the familiar Sauvignon Blanc hint of pear, though the color of this wine in a glass is the palest Sauvignon Blanc I've seen. Mondavi's Private Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2007 is a very pale straw. This is dryer than some of the Sauvignon Blanc I've tried lately, and oakier, too. It's strikingly different; dryer and more acidic than the Australian versions. There's a top note of acidic lemon and green apple, with that famous crisp quality of Sauvignon Blanc. It's not as rounded as the Barnard Griffin Fumé Blanc. According to the Website, it's a blend of California Central Coast Sauvignon Blanc (94% ), Riesling (3% ), and 3% Gewürtztraminer. This is a refreshing choice for a spring wine to accompany a crab salad, or crab-stuffed spring rolls. It's 13% ABV. I have to confess that this is a bottle that caught my eye based on the spare, elegant typography and label design. This 1.5 liter bottle was $5.99 at the BGO. It's currently on sale for 20% off. The Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Grigio and Riesling are also on sale at BGO for $5.99.