We’ve been drinking a lot of Sauvignon Blanc lately, and when you’re looking for something in that family that doesn’t come from California a logical place to look is France. Bordeaux and the Loire Valley produce excellent Suavignon Blancs. Some are expensive, some are very expensive. I just saw a few bottles of the still white wine of Chateau d’Yquem last weekend at Gasbarro’s on Federal Hill, something I’d never seen in person before. They were $200 a bottle. Now, I’m not spending that on anything, and certainly not a Sauvignon Blanc. So here’s a cheap alternative. From the Entre Deux Mers region, or the land between the rivers, comes a blended white Bordeaux that is pleasant and reasonably priced.
Wine: 2012 Chateau Fage Graves de Vayres
Winery Location: Graves de Vayres AOC, France
Tasted By: Neil & Cheri Date: May 2014
Tasting Notes: – Light straw in color, this is fermented in vats and aged on the lees with battonage for three months. There is some subtle fruit, with some stone fruit, and some subtle grassy notes on the nose. On the palate it is crisp and clean, and actually very long. The time on the lees gives it a bit of sur lees creaminess, and some nice structure. It’s medium bodied. This would be great with shellfish. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Sauvignon Gris. Not in your face Sauvignon Blanc, but very nice.
Price Point – $10
Would We Buy It? – we would definitely buy more of this. It’s very good, reasonably priced, and it’s Bordeaux! This is a good value.
So if you’ve been wanting to try a white Bordeaux, here is one option. There are a lot of white wines from the Entre Deux Mers for reasonable dollars, and this is a good place to start.
A votre sante!
Leave a Reply