White Bordeaux

[Waiters Friend]

Hello

A friend of mine is singing the virtues of white Bordeaux, based on a recent European trip.

I tried a 2007 Chateau Haut Saric recently. I'm guessing a Semillon Sauvignon blend, this had a somewhat developed yellow colour and some honey and botrytis characters. Tasted sweet, finished dry-ish. My friend was in heaven.

Any thoughts on what constitutes a good Bordeaux Blanc, and what to look for?

Thanks

Allan

[Curt]

Hi Allan, Im also a fan but only have a few in the cellar - all Domaine Chevalier currently. They are usually a blend of Semillion & Sauv, ( & sometimes Muscadelle I think ) % varies considerably from one to the next. When young they are pale lemon, generally vinous, elegant and citrusey... not totally unlike some of the better aus sem/sauv's but more refined, not so acidic, with better length and more body. They are not a style I am very experienced with but I would not expect much honey / botrytis characters and certainly the colour sounds "out of character". Most of the bottles I have cellared for 8-10+ years, end up tasting very much like an elegant chardonnay. Generally, the best come from Graves, Pessac Leognan appellation. Hope this helps. Cheers, Curt

[Mark Carrington]

There is a wide range of styles due to the wide variations in blends with some having minuscule amounts of Semillon & different levels of new oak. Additionally, there is a wide variance in ability to age. 2007 is a spectacular vintage for white Graves/Pessac-Léognan. For valuable track down Clos Floridene. Domaine de Chevalier is top drawer (2001 a stunner), oaky, needs plenty of time, expensive but providing value in comparison to Haut Brion or Laville HB. Smith Haut Lafitte is consistently high standard. The second wines are well worth trying. DdC Espirit (& connected Dom de la Solitude) & Les Plantiers du HB are terrific. Just about all the classed growth P-Ls are a safe bet & Graves always well priced but take care in choosing.
For me a favourite style of wine. If you like Cullen Sauv/Sem (excellent for value & quality) then it's worth investigating dry white Bordeaux. Unfashionable & quite difficult to track down in UK & even in France Vintages do not necessarily follow reds or Sauternes but '09 should still be readily available & is highly regarded.

[daniel7]

Thanks for those replies, I'm also interested in getting a white Bordeaux.

[Waiters Friend]

There is a wide range of styles due to the wide variations in blends with some having minuscule amounts of Semillon & different levels of new oak. Additionally, there is a wide variance in ability to age. 2007 is a spectacular vintage for white Graves/Pessac-Léognan. For valuable track down Clos Floridene. Domaine de Chevalier is top drawer (2001 a stunner), oaky, needs plenty of time, expensive but providing value in comparison to Haut Brion or Laville HB. Smith Haut Lafitte is consistently high standard. The second wines are well worth trying. DdC Espirit (& connected Dom de la Solitude) & Les Plantiers du HB are terrific. Just about all the classed growth P-Ls are a safe bet & Graves always well priced but take care in choosing.
For me a favourite style of wine. If you like Cullen Sauv/Sem (excellent for value & quality) then it's worth investigating dry white Bordeaux. Unfashionable & quite difficult to track down in UK & even in France Vintages do not necessarily follow reds or Sauternes but '09 should still be readily available & is highly regarded.

Thanks for the advice, Mark. Currently just opened a Cullen Mangan Semillon (TN to follow), and I suspect white Bordeaux will be difficult to source in Perth W.A. Cullen and similar (e.g. Lenton Brae) might be the go instead.