Does the world need more Sauvignon Blancs? This is the question I always ask myself when presented with expressions of the variety hailing from non-classical regions. The intense poise of the Loire, the aromatic explosiveness from Marlborough and the saline deliciousness from Coastal Chile would, arguably, be enough to satisfy the appetite of Sauvignon lovers of all kinds.
I therefore understand those who would approach a Rueda Sauvignon – like I did – with scepticism. This proved both misplaced and unfounded; the lineup tasted for this report delivered expressiveness, sense of place and drinkability throughout. Rueda’s Sauvignon Blancs have a characterful restraint and appetising definition that really sets them apart, with a textural appeal at once moreish and refreshing.
Standout examples combine aromatic complexity with a strong backbone – more stony than mineral – and a subtle unctuosity on the mid-palate. The technical ability of growers was plainly on show, with deft integration of aromas leveraged by lees work and, where applicable, use of wood. These are wines worth seeking out and that invite a reassessment of the potential of both Sauvignon Blanc and DO Rueda.
Top scoring Sauvignon Blancs to try:
Bodega Eresma, Sauvignon Blanc Vendimia Seleccionada 2025
Seeking UK distributor.
93pts
Assertiveness and definition support the moreish guava, melon and yellow apple fruit. Drenched in white grapefruit juice and sprinkled with lime zest, pear peel and jalapeño flakes, the core is crunchy and juicy. Finishes with appetising green olive brine. Organic certified. Alc 13%
Palacio de Bornos, Sauvignon Blanc 2025
93pts
Delicate, nutty nose weaving lemon curd, melon, quince and yellow apple with top notes of orange blossom, white roses and wet hay. Round-edged white peach, juicy grapefruit and ripe pineapple core. Pleasant mid-palate volume; zesty pink grapefruit and red apple peel finish. Alc 13.5%
Bodegas Félix Sanz, Viña Cimbrón Sauvignon Blanc 2025
92pts
Pleasant flintiness on the nose, followed by crunchy pineapple, quince and gooseberry. In the background, rose petals, apple blossom and hay. Juicy intensity on the palate, full of cantaloupe melon, yellow apple, pineapple and green papaya. Moreish and approachable. Yum. Alc 13%
Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres, Sauvignon Blanc 2025
92pts
Alluring, fragrant nose of apple blossom, crushed rose petals, parsley and lemon balm. Edgy definition on the palate with chiseled lemon, pineapple, pear, quince and white peach, rounded by a neat creaminess. Generous, moreish core held by firm, zesty acid. Alc 13%
Pagos del Rey, Analivia Sauvignon Blanc 2025
92pts
A saline, mineral rim gives mouthwatering vividness to toasted almonds, white peach, red apple, crunchy pear, guava and melon. Elegant top notes of hay, camomile, linden, rose petals and jasmine offer floral lift and herbal depth. Pineapple, yellow apple; a pleasant green olive brine finish. Alc 13%
Ramón Bilbao, Sauvignon Blanc 2025
92pts
Enticing nose of honeydew melon, pear, quince and guava, topped with parsley and freshly cut grass. Juicy core with passion fruit, tangerine, pink grapefruit, and green papaya, cloaked in moreish green olive brine. A wine for everyday drinking pleasure. Alc 13%
Bodega Eresma | Sauvignon Blanc Vendimia Seleccionada | 2025 | 93 | Assertive drive and definition supports the moreish concentration of white grapefruit, guava, melon and yellow apple fruit. Drenched in white grapefruit juice and sprinkled with lime zest, pear peel and jalapeño flakes, the core is at once crunchy and juicy, with fluidity and vividness throughout. Enjoyable and beautifully layered. Finishes with appetising green olive brine. Organic certified. |
Palacio de Bornos | Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 93 | Delicate, nutty nose effortlessly weaving lemon curd, melon, quince and yellow apple with top notes of orange blossom, white roses and wet hay. Round-edged core of white peach, juicy pink grapefruit, ripe pineapple and pleasant volume on the mid-palate followed by a zesty, energetic tail of pink grapefruit zest and red apple peel. |
Bodega Matarromera | Melior Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 92 | Expressive, moreish, meaty guava and blanched almonds at the core, drenched in clementine and pear juice. Pear, melon and green papaya follow, sprinkled with lemon zest and white grapefruit. The latter bring zesty energy to the rim and linger on the pleasant, vibrant finish. Great acid line throughout. |
Bodegas Félix Sanz | Viña Cimbrón Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 92 | Pleasant flintiness on the nose, followed by crunchy pineapple, quince and gooseberry. In the background, rose petals, apple blossom and hay dance playfully. The palate follows with juicy intensity, full of cantaloupe melon, yellow apple, pineapple and green papaya. At once moreish and approachable. Yum. |
Bodegas Pandora | Sauvignon Blanc Criado sobre Lías | 2025 | 92 | A really lovely, elegant wine with character, fluidity and substance. Seductive zesty framework to the white meaty blanched almonds, white peach, quince and pineapple. Savoury touch of green olive and green pepper. Intensity and verve with a creamy presence of lingering frangipane. |
Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres | Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 92 | Alluring, fragrant nose of apple blossom, crushed rose petals, parsley and lemon balm. Edgy definition on the palate with chiseled lemon, pineapple, pear, quince and white peach, rounded by a neat creaminess. Generous, moreish core held by firm, zesty acid. |
Pagos del Rey | Analivia Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 92 | A saline, mineral rim gives mouthwatering vividness to the toasted almonds, white peach, red apple, crunchy pear, guava and melon flavours. Elegant top notes of hay, camomile, linden, rose petals and jasmine give both floral lift and herbal depth. pineapple, yellow apple. Appetising green olive brine lingers on the finish. |
Diez Siglos | Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 92 | Don't let the shy citrus character deceive you; this is an approachable wine, but not a simple one. Lemon juice, yellow apple cantaloupe melon, fleshy white peach, Asian pear and guava, with a pleasant crunchy bite and all sprinkled with coriander, mingle on the palate. Savoury asparagus, in the background, adds depth and intrigue. Vivid acid balanced by the vibrant fruit. Organic certified. |
Ramón Bilbao | Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 92 | Enticing nose of honeydew melon, conference pear, quince and guava, topped with parsley and freshly cut grass. Surprisingly juicy core with passion fruit, tangerine, red apple, pink grapefruit, melon and green papaya. Moresih green olive brine underpinning it all. Balanced, complete wine for everyday drinking pleasure. |
Marqués de Riscal | Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 91 | Balanced, well crafted and inviting, with a moreish food-friendly twist to the finish. Vivid acid underpinning the lime zest and tangerine-dominant aromas. Playful top notes of parsley, coriander and tarragon. Crunchy pear, melon and a meaty touch of guava at the core. Organic certified. |
Bodegas y Viñedos Angel Lorenzo Cachazo | Martivillí Sauvignon | 2025 | 91 | At once fluid and creamy, gliding through the palate with rich glazed pineapple, lemon curd and apple pie offset by a zesty zing. Energetic edge of lime zest, melon and crunchy pineapple. Finishes with an enticing twist of jalapeño. |
Bodega Emina | Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 91 | Nuanced nose of white orchard fruit topped elegantly with apple blossom. It fills the mouth the palate with fluid ease. An appetising juicy core of yellow apple, quince, pineapple and pink grapefruit is sprinkled with parsley and supported by Sancerre-like minerality. A lively and elegant expression of Sauvignon Blanc. |
Bodega Gótica | Trascampanas Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 91 | A wine with a lot of character – love it or hate it. If you do like it you'll be seduced by meaty blanched almonds and guava meatiness and the exotic sourness of passionfruit and gooseberry. Spicy finish full of tarragon and curry leaf. |
Bodegas Javier Ruiz | Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 91 | Passionfruit, gooseberry, cantaloupe melon and pineapple fill the mid-palate with generosity and ease. Green apple, pear peel, green papaya and green olive add a crunchy and briny edge. Generous touch of nectarine and mango offset by the zesty pull of white grapefruit and the spicy verve of tarragon and coriander. |
Viñas Murillo | Chapirete Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 91 | Pleasant weighty quality to the palate – full of clementine, frangipane, cantaloupe melon, mango, papaya and apple pie – offset by pink grapefruit verve and jasmine and orange blossom florality. Spicy rim of tarragon and curry leaf. |
Pata Negra | Sauvignon Blanc-Verdejo | 2024 | 90 | Seductive notes of guava, cantaloupe melon and preserved lemon, with jasmine and rose petals hovering elegantly. Succulent juiciness on the mid-palate with green apple, conference pear and pink grapefruit exploding with energy. Pleasant salty, green olive brine and a gentle sprinkle of tarragon. Tingling rim of lime zest. |
Arroyo Izquierdo | Siete Llaves Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 90 | Vibrant and textural flavours of clementine and tangerine zest, pear peel, glazed pineapple and juicy melon topped with green olives and parsley. Vibrant texture on the mid-palate, elegant creaminess and zesty pull to the finish. Seam of white roses and orange blossom. Lovely spritzy verve. |
Castelo de Medina | Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 90 | Top notes of parsley, coriander and tarragon. Lime zest, papaya and passionfruit fill the mid-palate and give it a juicy bite, followed by crunchy quince and Asian pear topped with spicy flakes of jalapeño. |
Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres | Excellens Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 90 | Crunchy bite to the quince, Asian pear, passionfruit and melon at the core, drenched in white grapefruit and lime juice. Tail of clementine zest. Juicy and inviting with the acid, zesty backbone supporting the generous, fleshy fruit. |
Bodega Eresma | Eresma+ Sauvignon Blanc sobre lías | 2024 | 90 | Deep, expressive nose of lemon curd, frangipane and pear peel in this unpretentious yet gently complex wine. Focused and long with a core of yellow apple touched by dry wild flowers and wet hay. Pleasant weight on the mid-palate. |
Grupo Pistacyl | Desacato Sauvignon Blanc | 2024 | 90 | Elegance and unpretentious complexity in a wine with a strong yet juicy acid backbone. Freshly-cut grass, green asparagus and flat-leaf parsley hover over blanched almonds, frangipane, apple pie, ripe pineapple and white grapefruit. Lively zest throughout. |
Pago Traslagares | Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 90 | Fluid and zesty, mixing lime, quince, pink grapefruit, cantaloupe melon and meaty guava. White asparagus gives it a saline, umami edge. Red apple crunch adds an energetic, juicy verve. |
Javier Sanz | Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 90 | Approachable, juicy and textural, layering blanched almonds, quince, white grapefruit, green apple, Asian pear guava and gooseberry. Crunchy pineapple at the core. Lingering notes of grippy guava and meaty dragonfruit. |
Casa Rojo | La Gabacha Sauvignon Blanc | 2024 | 90 | Fluid and juicy zestines in a Sauvignon where pink grapefruit drenches the juicy core of pear yellow apple and green melon. Tangerine peel, green apple peel, passionfruit and roasted asparagus add nuance and dynamism. Organic certified. |
Álvarez y Díez | Mantel Blanco Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 89 | There's a pleasant sweetness and exotic character to the intense fruit. Dense ripe pineapple and nectarine fill the palate. Jasmine and apple blossom hover gently. Fine zesty line running throughout. Finishes with a warm tail of papaya and nectarine. |
Cuatro Rayas | Vendimia Nocturna Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 89 | Edgy juiciness and refreshing drive driven by bright clementine zest, green pepper, melon and tarragon. Appetising passion fruit and honeydew linger on the mid-palate with energy and definition. Fluttering details of jasmine and apple blossom. |
Bodegas y Viñedos Yllera | Sauvignon Blanc Vendimia Nocturna | 2025 | 89 | Energetic and lively: layering clementine zest, crunchy pear and green apple, crunchy but fluid at the core. Lovely structure on the mid-palate, with a salty edge. |
De Alberto | Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 89 | Assertive expression of Sauvignon, with a robust, hard frame around the quince, green papaya, and guava fruit, topped with lemon zest and pear peel. Savoury touch of green pepper. |
Legaris | Legaris Sauvignon Blanc | 2025 | 89 | Saline nose of green olive brine, green pepper, green apple and hay. The palate follows with fruity gooseberry, melon, green apple, lemon zest, pear crunch and crunchy pineapple. Creamy lemon curd, frangipane and yellow apple jam on the edges. |
Vinos Sanz | Finca La Colina Sauvignon Blanc 2025 | 2025 | 89 | A great everyday drinker with energy and verve, led by crunchy and juicy pear, guava, gooseberry and passionfruit. Good persistence with a tail of pear peel, green pepper and tarragon. |
Bodegas Félix Lorenzo Cachazo | Carrasviñas Sauvignon Blanc | 2024 | 89 | Bright aromas of white rose, guava and Asian pear. Vibrant palate of green papaya, passionfruit, green apple, melon, gooseberry, lifted by Pisco Sour-like energy. Nuances of lime zest, parsley and freshly-cut grass, Solar and energetic. One for garden parties. |
Tasting was carried at the Rueda Consejo Regulador headquarters in Rueda in March 2026 by Ines Salpico (Decanter Regional Editor for Spain, Portugal and South America). While the costs were kindly underwritten by the DO Rueda (dorueda.com), all of the content produced for this guide remains independent.
Discover more about DO Rueda: dorueda.com
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Discover more from the Rueda report 2026:
Rueda report 2026: An introduction to the region's landscape and vines
Rueda report 2026: Verdejo's essence
Rueda report 2026: Verdejo reimagined
Rueda report 2026: Fortified (Dorado, Pálido)
Rueda report 2026: Gran Vino de Rueda
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