Château La Garde Blanc 2021

Dating back to the 18th century, this is a fine, rising-star Graves property in the prized Pessac-Léognan. It has been nurturing grapes since the 19th century and been under the ownership of the dynamic négociant, Dourthe, since 1990. They have invested liberally in both the vineyard and the cellar, and this is now bearing dividends. The estate has 53 hectares of superb terroir for its vineyards, 50 of those growing red grapes, a modest three cultivating white. The Sauvignon Blanc is all planted on pure limestone soils, which lend a real minerality to the wine. Suckling praised the 2021: “fragrant with notes of white grapefruit, lemongrass, aniseed, lime peel and barley. It’s bright, creamy and elegant on the palate, with spicy layers “.