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About 3 hours south of Paris is one of the most revered wine regions of the world. Bordeaux has been one of the epicenters of the wine world for centuries. While so many people seek out their red and dessert wines, their white wines are not something to be overlooked.
Primarily made from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, it can also have a small percentage of Muscadelle. Sauvignon Blanc is known for its high acidity and herbal notes, while Sémillon lends body to the blend and soften the wines. Depending on the percentage of the grapes, the wine can go from tart acidity with citrus and grassy notes to a richer mouthfeel with baked apple tones.
The summertime offers great options to pair Bordeaux Blancs with. Arugula based salads, grilled seafood and pesto pastas.
Here are some that we recommend:
Château Carbonnieux 2019 Pessac-Léognan; $45, 94 Points. The estate is noted for white wine, and this latest release lives up to the reputation. This textured, mainly Sauvignon Blanc wine has tight acidity set against wood aging and ripe citrus and white-fruit flavors. Drink the wine from 2024. Cellar Selection – Roger Voss
Château de Chantegrive 2020 Cuvée Caroline (Graves); $45, 92 Points. Wood aged, this balanced wine is poised between ripe citrus and spice. It offers a hint of pineapple along with lively acidity. Editors’ Choice – Roger Voss
Château Fourcas Dupré 2020 Bordeaux Blanc; $26, 92 Points. From an estate in Listrac, this is a ripe, young and lightly honeyed wine. With a touch of spice and vanilla, the wine has developed well. Drink from 2022. – Roger Voss
Château La Gabarre 2021 Bordeaux Blanc; $10, 88 Points. This is packed with green fruits, rounded by kiwi and acidity. The wine is fragrant with great final freshness. Drink now. Best Buy – Roger Voss
Château Pape Clément 2019 Pessac-Léognan; $130, 94 Points. This vintage shows swathes of ripe fruits that have a youthful, textured character. Wood aging has added spice and rounded out the white-fruitflavored texture. This complex wine will age and should be drunk from 2024. Cellar Selection – Roger Voss
Château Picque Caillou 2020 Pessac-Léognan; $45, 93 Points. While this wine is still young, it has all the elements of aging potential. The bright green and citrus fruits are spiced with wood aging and a vivid, taut texture. The wine is sure to develop, to be ready to drink from 2024. Cellar Selection – Roger Voss
Château Roc de Minvielle 2021 Bordeaux Blanc; $17, 89 Points. Bright and fruity, the wine’s apple and grapefruit flavors are taut and textured. It is a lively young wine, better from later this year. Best Buy – Roger Voss
Château Roquefort 2021 Bordeaux Blanc; $22, 90 Points. Perfumed and with fine fruit, the wine is full of baked apple fruitiness. Its rounded spicy aftertaste gives the wine complexity and a fine tangy aftertaste. Drink now. Best Buy – Roger Voss
Clos Floridène 2020 Graves; $13, 93 Points. The late Denis Dubourdieu was a leader in developing Bordeaux white wines. His family carries on his legacy in this smooth, creamy and rounded wine. Acidity and fresh citrus come through at the end. Drink from 2023. Editors’ Choice – Roger Voss
Domaine de Chevalier 2019 Pessac-Léognan; $115, 97 Points. the latest release of this legendary white wine comes from a mere 17 acres of the 165-acre vineyard. Wood aged and rich in ripe Sauvignon Blanc, the wine bursts with energy and white fruits, touched by spice and with a long aging ahead of it. Drink this wine from 2025. Cellar Selection – Roger Voss
Last Updated: June 6, 2023
