2017 Berry Bros. & Rudd Extra Ordinary White Michel Lynch Reserve, Graves
About this WINE
Jean-Michel Cazes
Jean-Michel Cazes is one of Bordeaux's legendary figures, a man of enormous dynamism, vision, energy and charm. His family have owned 5th Growth Ch Lynch Bages for decades but in recent years have added Ch Les Ormes de Pez in St Estephe to their portfolio. He has also been responsible for pioneering developments in wine tourism, gastronomy, wine education and the revitalisation of the hamlet of Bages which sits behind Ch Lynch Bags.
More recently he purchased a well-sited estate in the Graves region called Ch Bel Air; as there are dozens of Bel-Airs in Bordeaux he named this one Ch Villa Bel Air to differentiate it, perhaps naming it thus with an eye to the Iberian origins of his wife. At this estate Jean-Michel makes benchmark examples of Graves wine, a white blend of Sauvignon and Semillon and a red Cabernet/Merlot blend which is mellow and round on the palate and yet which still exhibits the typical Graves terroir character.
He produces a special blend for us to bottle under our own label, the Extraordinary Claret, a noticeable step up from our popular and well-made Good Ordinary Claret, and a wine which demonstrates his skill in producing stylish, eminently drinkable Bordeaux from widely differing appellations.
Sauvignon Blanc
An important white grape in Bordeaux and the Loire Valley that has now found fame in New Zealand and now Chile. It thrives on the gravelly soils of Bordeaux and is blended with Sémillon to produce fresh, dry, crisp Bordeaux Blancs, as well as more prestigious Cru Classé White Graves.
It is also blended with Sémillon, though in lower proportions, to produce the great sweet wines of Sauternes. It performs well in the Loire Valley and particularly on the well-drained chalky soils found in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, where it produces bone dry, highly aromatic, racy wines, with grassy and sometimes smoky, gunflint-like nuances.
In New Zealand, Cloudy Bay in the 1980s began producing stunning Sauvignon Blanc wines with extraordinarily intense nettly, gooseberry, and asparagus fruit, that set Marlborough firmly on the world wine map. Today many producers are rivalling Cloudy Bay in terms of quality and Sauvignon Blanc is now New Zealand`s trademark grape.
It is now grown very successfully in Chile producing wines that are almost halfway between the Loire and New Zealand in terms of fruit character. After several false starts, many South African producers are now producing very good quality, rounded fruit-driven Sauvignon Blancs.
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Description
A 50/50 blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, this classic example of white Graves is bottled for us by Famille JM Cazes. Gorgeous aromas of citrus oil and white peaches fill the nose, while the palate strikes the perfect balance of caressing soft fruit with a vibrant lick of acidity on the finish. Perfect as a light apéritif but also delicious with asparagus, seafood or goats' cheese tart.
Max Lalondrelle, Wine Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd
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