Château Grand Village, Blanc, Bordeaux, 2021
A blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon, the Sauvignon Blanc component now predominantly Sancerre clones which no doubt enhances the glorious electric vitality of this stunningly good white Bordeaux. Vibrantly aromatic on the nose with green fruits, then mango, lime-leaf and a touch of flint leading to a serious, crisply rendered palate with green citrus, grass and blood orange notes. A brilliant, mouth-watering Grand Village with great concentration and a moreishly taut finish.
critic reviews
A blend of 73% Sauvignon Blanc and 27% Semillon, the 2021 white Grand Village pops from the glass with notes of fresh grapefruit, green apples, and lime blossoms, plus hints of coriander seed, paraffin wax, and white pepper. The light to medium-bodied palate is filled with citrusy flavor, with a crisp backbone and a long chalky finish.
Touch of grass, pink grapefruit and citrus followed by a stonier steel and lemongrass character. Showing clarity and energy, this is entirely fermented and aged in barrel, around 70% new oak, and is a gorgeous wine, easily one of the 'value' wines of the vintage in Bordeaux. 2021 was the first year in the new white cellar. Harvest September 7 to 13. Single point upgrade.
The 2021 Grand Village Blanc has tightened up since I tasted in barrel, showing hints of white peach and orchard fruit with a dab of chai tea in the background. The palate is well-balanced with a keen thread of acidity. Notes of lime cordial move into a spicy finish that tingles on the tongue after the wine has exited.
Regularly one of the standout dry white wines from the Bordeaux appellation, the 2021 Blanc, a blend of 73% Sauvignon Blanc (picked on the 9th, 11th and 13th of September) and 27% Semillon (picked on the 7th of September), offers up a fresh, delicate and elegant bouquet with aromas of lemon oil, lemon, spices, lime tree leaves, menthol and perfectly ripe orchard fruits. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and racy, it's layered and seamless, its concentrated core of fruit underpinned by racy acids, concluding with a calcareous, saline finish.