A fresh lively Bordeaux blanc produced from Sauvignon and Semillon, the first vintage of Chateau Cos dEstournel Blanc was made 2005. The grapes are grown north of St. Estèphe, in the Jau-Dignac and Loirac regions. The terroir is a mix of sand, clay, small stones and limestone. The wine is fermented and aged in mostly one-year-old barrels to maintain maximum freshness. Made in small volumes.

Monts-Damnés (pronounced mon-dannay) is perhaps the best-known vineyard in Chavignol. Drinking great juice from this site leaves you in little doubt that Chavignol is home to some of the most textural, mineral, uplifting and sublime Sancerres. Boulay’s bottling comes from 45-year-old vines on one of the steepest inclines of this majestic vineyard, a 40° south-facing plot on terres blanches (white, chalky clay and limestone) directly adjacent to Vatan’s Clos la Néore vineyard. It’s a parcel of vines that gives a wine of great hedonism and complexity. Boulay vinifies this cuvée in three- to four-year-old Rousseau Tronçais oak casks before finishing its aging in large cask prior to bottling.

Pretty aromas of apricot tart, lemon, honey and vanilla. Full-bodied, medium sweet, with lots of pretty fruit and hints of toffee and spices. Slightly hollow center palate, but delicious.--'88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Drink now.

The harvest began very early, on the 5th September, and lasted 9 weeks. This made is possible to reflect all the diversity of a year in which both flowering and veraison were very spread out. Picking began especially early at Yquem in 2014. Some 25% of the crop was brought in before the 15th of September, providing a rare and precious background of acidity.

A prestigious 1er Cru Classé estate, Château Coutet is the oldest and largest property in Barsac. The name Coutet is derived from the Gascons word for knife and the estates wines are renowned for their fresh cutting acidity and crisp lively palate. A blend of Sémillon (75 5%), Sauvignon Blanc (23%) and Muscadelle (2%), the wines show beguiling aromas of citrus, tropical fruits, white flowers, honey and ginger, revealing more candied fruit, gingerbread notes with age. The wine is matured in oak barriques for 18 months.