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So we were delighted when we finally secured access to some nearby white vineyards with incredible fruit that has allowed us to create the prestigious La Clarière Blanc. This dazzling white Bordeaux combines bright, character-filled Sauvignon Blanc and richer, creamier Sauvignon Gris to create an extraordinarily sensuous wine. It has enjoyed all the same lavish, no-expense-spared treatment in the winery usually accorded to the red, and the result is a citrussy, complex, textured wine that is absolutely irresistible. Oak fermented, lees stirred, and then aged in partnew oak barrels, the richness and complexity is reminiscent of the grand wines of Pessac Léognan. Smooth, rich, long and lavish … it's simply magnificent – a very worthy partner to the red. It's a truly fine dining partner that really shines when served with luxury cuisine.
Tony Laithwaite has long wanted to make an estate white at La Clarière, but traditionally Castillon is all about reds. Now he's crafted this oak fermented white. Long, complex and citrusy, it's won four Golds.
Delicious depth and richness with real freshness give this Bordeaux white perfect balance.
It’s a collaboration between our award-winning winemaker Jean-Marc Sauboua and owner of Château Le Coin Ludovic Roussillon.
The key ingredient is Sauvignon – Gris that is, not Blanc – which combines spicy richness and lime freshness. All the grapes are tended at Ludovic’s superb estate in the Entre-Deux-Mers, just over the river from Le Chai au Quai, our winemaking HQ in Castillon.
His claret is always a hit and nine years ago we persuaded him to make us a white too.
The limestone soils help to produce lovely fruit intensity, while old-vine grapes and a tiny portion of oak fermentation lends even more richness. Great solo or with a creamy gratin.
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For a bright, fresh Bordeaux Sauvignon, you won't beat this eight-Golds 2020 from Jean Gueridon. It's old vines with meticulous care, that give it such intensity and freshness, with a light floral touch to the citrusy fruit.
Jean Gueridon is the proud owner and winemaker of Château Les Moutins in the beautiful rolling hills of Bordeaux's Entre-Deux-Mers. Jean bought the estate in 1995 and has been upping the quality every year since. On his extensive vineyards of clay and limestone, he grows mostly Sauvignon Blanc, with a touch of Sémillon, on vines that are mostly 40 years old.
No wonder, then, the concentration in the wine is so good. It certainly bowled over judges in eight competitions, winning Gold every time. With three months ageing on its lees, the wine has lovely texture and roundness, with a creamy note to the bright citrus and grassy fruit and lift of blossom. Chilled down, it's a cracker on its own, or with seafood or goat's cheese soufflé.
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Château Puech-Haut is the prized property of Gérard Bru, a passionate champion of the Languedoc.
His vineyards occupy exceptional sites, with clay and limestone soils, topped by large galet stones (just like Châteauneuf-du-Pape). That and the warm Mediterranean climate results in a very luscious style.
He has employed some top-name consultants from the start – first Bordeaux's Michel Rolland, now Philippe Cambie.
He also boasts the largest barrel in the world – so big that there's a shop inside! Critic Andrew Jefford called Gérard Bru "a dark horse", whose grandfather used to swap wine for potatoes!
Using classic grapes Roussanne, Marsanne and Viogner, barrel fermented in new oak, with bâtonnage, this is luscious, mouthfilling style.
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Since their wines first appeared in 2004, Château Vartely has established itself as one of Moldova’s top wineries. The winery controls 300 hectares of vines grown in conditions and soils very similar to the best of Bordeaux. Glowing online reviews every vintage prove that UK wine lovers have given this estate a big thumbs up. From grape harvesting to bottling, every step takes place under the watchful eye of Arcadie Fosnea, ‘Moldovan Winemaker of the Year’ in 2014. Having studied winemaking at Weinsberg, Germany, he has drawn worldwide acclaim for his skill at producing impressive wines.
Like this brilliantly fresh blend of native Feteasca Regala and crisp, grassy Sauvignon. Serve chilled on its own, with goat's cheese bake or with fish.
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Bright, exuberantly fruity Citrus & Vine is from an exciting family estate with a state-of-the-art cellar to boot. The land has been in the family for generations, but their first winery was only built just over a decade ago. The property lies in the Breede River Valley – with rich calcareous soils, the region is renowned not only for delicious, ripe fruit wines, but also for its citrus orchards, and for breeding horses. In fact the family excels at all three, and the wine’s name celebrates two of them.
Citrus & Vine, made purely from the South African speciality white grape Chenin Blanc, exudes lively and intense guava, lemon and passion fruit notes. Chill down and enjoy this fresh white solo, or with a peach and haloumi salad or chicken.
Reuilly is a real gem for lovers of classic Loire Sauvignon. It offers the dazzling mineral finesse of nearby Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, but its wines come at a more affordable price. It's a bit of a rescue story, in fact. In the 1970s, its wines almost disappeared and the little that was produced was only enjoyed locally. Enter Claude Lafond – the saviour of Reuilly. He encouraged the planting of vines, established a shared winemaking facility for all Reuilly producers, and built an impressive, modern winery at Domaine Claude Lafond.
Now run by his daughter, Nathalie, the domaine is farmed organically and continues to go from strength to strength – just like Reuilly itself. La Raie is crisp and elegant. Ideal with goat's cheese.
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