(2017) In Southwest France the Bergerac appellation neighbours Bordeaux, and much the same grape varieties are planted, making wines in a very similar style. This unoaked white is Sauvignon Blanc, perhaps with a dash of Semillon, that is fresh, fruity and aromatic with a hint of apricot and plenty of dashing, citrus and melon fruit. In the mouth it is rounded and has a really nice balance between that apricot/peach ripeness and the clarity of its lemon and lime acidity. Good value.
(2015) What a lovely wine this is: a very similar wine to those great white Bordeaux wines of the nearby Graves region, it is a blend of organic Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and a touch of Muscadelle. It is a wine that is about elegance, precision and a certain understatement, the nose is full of keen, ripe lemony fruit but note the nuances of wild flowers, oatmeal and nuttiness with subtle layers of complexity. In the mouth seamless citrus and juicy apple fruitiness, but such a lovely thrust and cut of acidity and rounded, lightly creamy mouth-feel, in a long, poised finish. Extremely elegant.
(2014) Watch out for the surprising 15.5% abv in this wine from Bergerac, just inland from Bordeaux. Made from only the "best and oldest Merlot vines," and aged in barrel for 12 months, it has a very deep, saturated colour and is loaded with plum and quite fragrant black fruit notes on the nose. Remarkably enough (given that alcohol) it retains loads of juicy freshness on the palate, the dark, ripe and plummy flavours smoothed with vanilla and chocolate. Not fantastically complex, but a lovely big mouthful of red wine (if you can take the alcohol). Really rather good - and balanced.
(2003) Regular visitors will know I have a penchant for white Bordeaux, and this wine has all the taut, lithe, elegant qualities of a young white Graves. Often New World oaked Sauvignon Blanc is too flashily wooded, with a big, obvious layer of oak failing to marry with piercing fruit, and presenting a disjointed picture. Here, like in the best white Bordeaux, the oak is supportive and integrated, and the whole picture much more intriguing and satisfying. Perhaps the Sémillon content helps, adding a waxy richness and melding the components together. The nose has deep, luxurious notes of toast, vanilla and downy peach skins, with a little creaminess, and a zesty note of lemon. In the mouth this is powerful and structured, with fine citrussy acidity and greengage flavours giving cut to full, buttery fruit and creamy oak in the broad mid-palate. This need some time, and should be even better in five to ten years.
(2003) The colour is deep and intense, and the nose is immediately harmonious and very classy, with savoury, dark, plum and damson skin aromas, some cedar and a very sumptuous depth hinting at sandalwood and violet. On the palate it is medium-bodied and dry, with sweet and sour savoury black fruit and some tobacco filling out the mid-palate, with a weight of fine-grained, ripe tannins gripping the finish. Acidity is gentle but nicely balanced to extend and freshen the finish, and this has a long, svelte, very composed character. Very impressive.
(2000) Quite a deep pink. A real ribena, cassis nose, very sweet and jammy fruit. Palate has good fruit too, quite juicy and rich at first then a clean, crisp fruity acidity (cherry and raspberry) leaves the finish clean, fresh and quite long.
(2000) Medium golden colour. Powerful gooseberry and floral nose with warmer undertones of peach. On the palate a little raw with plenty of tart green apple fruit and lots of grapefruit acidity. Decent finish.
(2000) Medium green/gold. Very oaky at first: new-sawn wood and Jack Daniels. Sweet, custardy, peach aromas beneath. The palate is rounded, buttery and rich (I might have guessed Chardonnay though it is equal proportions of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, with 10% Muscadelle). There are toasty flavours again but fine citrus acidity sharpens the finish and there is plenty of fruit.
(2000) This is 100% Semillon, fully botrytis affected. Lovely nose, creamy and vanilla-laden, but gorgeous botrytis fruit of honeyed peaches, melon and hints of dark sugar and spice. Medium-bodied it is nicely fresh on the palate with fine citrus acidity balancing a luscious weight of fruit and giving an overall effect of elegance and balance. Long, sweet and very pure, I thought this was exceptionally good. An impressive wine from a lesser known appellation.
(2000) A 50/50 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon this has a crisp, clean attractive nose of lemons and apple. Very fresh on the palate, Sauvignon character dominating with little herbal nuances over crunchy fruit and balanced acidity.