South African Sauvignons

Warwick (Simonsberg, Stellenbosch) "Professor Black" 2003 ($19, Broadbent Selections): With perfectly ripened fruit that shows both taut, acidic citrus notes and broader, riper notes of melon and stone fruits, this is a well-crafted wine built from excellent primary fruit.

Jardin (Stellenbosch) 2003 ($14, Vinovative): The Jardin wines are consistently strong, and this Sauvignon shows ripe, vivid fruit that is structured by fine acidity and light mineral notes.

Kanu (Stellenbosch) 2003 ($15, Cape Classics): This is not a complex wine requiring contemplation, but rather a deliciously simple and straightforward sipper that counterbalances delicious melon fruit with just the right little shot of refreshing acidity.

Southern Right (Western Cape) 2003 ($17, Vineyard Brands): This wine shows classic citrus fruit notes on a versatile, medium-bodied frame, with fresh flavors and a long, satisfying finish.

Groote Post (Coastal Region) 2003 ($12, Four Lakes): Flavorful and admirably complex, with interesting aromas of moderately ripe fruit augmented by aromas of freshly cut grass and grated citrus zest.

Springfield Estate (Robertson) "Life From Stone" 2003 ($19, Country Vintner): Fresh, with mineral notes working nicely with the zesty but fully ripe citrus fruit.

ALSO RECOMMENDED

Fleur du Cap (Coastal Region) 2003 ($10, Maisons, Marques & Domaines); Ken Forrester (Stellenbosch) 2003 ($13, Loest & McNamee); Villiera (Stellenbosch) 2003 ($13, Fairest Cape); Iona (Elgin) 2003 ($22, Yellowwood Wine Co.); Boekenhoutskloof (Western Cape) "Porcupine Ridge" 2003 ($10, Vineyard Brands); Fairvalley (Fairview Workers Assn.) 2003 ($8, Vinovative); Nederburg (Western Cape) 2003 ($10, Dreyfus Ashby); Ridgeback (Paarl) 2003($11, AIDC); Graham Beck (Coastal Region) 2003 ($10, Country Vintner); Indaba (Western Cape) 2003 ($9, Cape Classics).

Michael Franz will offer additional recommendations and answer questions live today at noon on washingtonpost.com.