Grand Vin Blanc Sec "Vieilles Vignes" 2020

Plump and forward, with a mix of pink grapefruit, tangerine and yellow apple notes giving this an unctuous feel through the almond-tinged finish. Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now through 2025. 675 cases made.

A complex, enticing nose of white pepper, lemon, aniseed, ginger, fennel, flint and grapefruit. A blend of 58% Semillon and 42% Sauvignon Blanc from vines averaging 45 years, this is wide and deep with a shot of spiced lemon, juicy tropical fruit and stony mineral edges. Characterful and still somewhat tense but with a fresh and lifted finish. A serious, confident, cellarworthy wine which will provide lots of drinking pleasure. Aged for nine months in French oak barrels, 10% new.

This is a creamy, round and delicious white with a full body and notes of white peach, mango, pineapple and almond. Some lemon cream, too. Layered and caressing, with good weight, balance and freshness. From vines averaging 45 years old. 58% semillon and 42% sauvignon blanc. Drink now or hold.

Cask sample. Honey and nut aromas on the palate, with a waxy, woolly character on the palate. Seems a bit low in acidity again, as many white bordeaux seem to be in 2020. (RH)

The 2020 Grand Vin Blanc Sec Vieilles Vignes, a new wine in this range, a sort of next iteration of the wine formerly known as S. Orchard fruit, candied pear, ginger, spice, lemon confit and tropical accents give this distinguished white tons of nuance. A feeling of phenolic intensity carries through effortlessly to the layered finish.

The 2020 Suduiraut, 100% Semillon, is pale to medium lemon-gold in color. It needs a little swirling to unlock vibrant scents of apple pie, pineapple upside-down cake, and pear tart, followed by hints of saffron, crushed stones, salted almonds, and acacia honey with a hint of jasmine tea. The palate is a firework display of pears, apples, baking spices, and floral notes, framed by a racy backbone and creamy texture, finishing long and layered.

With good intensity, the bouquet of the cuvée Vieilles Vignes heralds freshness through citrus notes and floral nuances. Broad and harmonious, the wine has richness, a touch of salinity and a fine bitterness that underpins the aromatic expression on the finish. An elegant wine with beautiful complexity!

The nose is elegant, delicate and precise, offering lovely definition, a certain power, a touch of complexity, as well as a floral side, a slight fattiness and a fine creaminess. It reveals notes of lychee and elderflower, and, more lightly, crushed nectarine/crushed brugnon, together with touches of sweet/ripe citrus, subtle hints of fresh lilac, a discreet hint of vanilla and minerality. The palate is fresh, mineral, balanced and fruity, offering a certain juiciness, good definition and a mineral backbone. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/fresh brugnon, quenette/lychee and, more lightly, crushed small white fruits, together with touches of vanilla and delicate hints of salinity and fresh almond. Good length.

This is the first vintage with this new name. Pale green colour. An intense, delicate, fruity and subtle nose. Hints of basil. A delicious palate, with classy texture, plenty of fruit and a complex aromatic nuance on the finish. Very good length.