2017 Grand Village Blanc
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Grand Village Blanc is bright and beautifully focused, not to mention incredibly distinctive. Sage, mint, white flowers and crushed rock overtones play off the citrus and orchard fruit flavors so well. Because of the tiny yields, the 2017 was done entirely in oak, but the wood is impeccably integrated.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
A blend of two-thirds Sauvignon Blanc and one-third Semillon, the Grand Village 2017 Blanc comes bounding out of the glass with vibrant lemongrass, lime leaves and fresh white peach scents plus wafts of orange blossoms and honeycomb. Medium-bodied, the palate practically vibrates with incredible tension between the racy acidity and intense citrus and stone fruit flavors, finishing with amazing length and minerality. I love how this wine has turned out!
The 2017 Grand Village Blanc comes mostly from new clones in Les Champs Libres. For the small volume it is only barrel fermented. It has a well defined bouquet with scents of apricot blossom, lime zest and hints of passion fruit emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, a touch of walnut and ginger. A very faint bell pepper note on the finish oddly reminds me of a New Zealand Sauvignon.
The 2017 Grand Village (Lafleur) Blanc is stunning stuff, although it has a more Loire Blanc vibe than a classic Bordeaux Blanc. Racy citrus, tart pineapple, white flowers, and lots of salty mineral notes all flow to a medium-bodied, beautifully balanced, concentrated white that has a great finish. Brought up all in barrel and based on 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon, it’s great today, yet I suspect it will evolve for over a decade.
About the producer
The Société Civile du Ch. Lafleur is the collective name for the Guinaudeau family’s wines and estates. These are some of the Right Bank’s most famous wines, including Ch. Lafleur and Les Pensées in Pomerol, along with Les Perrières, Les Champs Libres and Ch. Grand Village in Fronsac.