The effusively tropical 2020 Southern Clays Sauvignon Blanc positively bursts with hints of mango, guava and gooseberries. It's medium to full-bodied, gently silky in texture and mouthwatering, with pink grapefruit notes that resonate on the lengthy finish. The overtly herbal tendencies of the grape variety have been tamed by the warm site, leaving behind just enough subtle thyme and bay leaf tinges to provide a savory counterpoint to the concentrated fruit.

The 2018 Single Vineyard Southern Clays Sauvignon Blanc pops with tropical fruit. Passion fruit, guava, even papaya notes can be found on the nose of this effusively scented offering. It's medium-bodied and round in the mouth, then narrows down a bit on the finish, where it picks up herbal shadings similar to cut grass.

Paradoxically, the 2017 Single Vineyard Southern Clays Sauvignon Blanc is the most restrained and the most powerful of the 2017 Sauvignon Blancs from Villa Maria. Subtle herbal hints add interest to notes of stone fruit, fig and passion fruit, while there's a creaminess to the mid-palate that imparts an extra layer of depth to this medium-bodied wine. It's mouth-filling and ripe, with a long, subtle finish.