2021, Les Champs Libres, BORDEAUX Blanc (Ch. Lafleur), Magnum (1500ml)

Bordeaux Blanc: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon.

In 2013 Julie and Baptiste began separating out some of the parcels of Sauvignon Blanc that had been growing from the Sancerre stock - they were becoming increasingly impressed with the wines from certain areas with a clay/limestone sub-soil. The result is a 100% Sauvignon Blanc which combines the fruit from three key vineyard parcels - À Louima, Les Pèchers and Les Acacias - and blended to create Les Champs Libres. In 2014 a new parcel Mathilde was added.

Les Champs Libres hits it out of the park in 2021. Gun-smoke opener, followed by structured white peach, pear, sage, crushed rocks, green apple, pumice stone slate and liquorice bud, with a squeeze of sweeter citrus purée as it opens up in the mid palate. A truly great white that doesn't try too hard to impress, and is content to take its time. Savoury, mouthwatering, delicious. Harvest September 9 to 11. 100% aged in barrels. 96 Jane Anson

Deep and layered, the 2021 Les Champs Libres is almost shockingly rich. It offers a beguiling mix of Sauvignon character with notable structure. Intensely floral and mineral nuances come alive with a bit of time. The 2021 is the first vintage made in the new cellar, which is also colder and therefore likely to result in longer élevage for the wines to fully come together. This is a fabulous white from the Guinadeau family. 92-94 Antonio Galloni.

The 2021 Les Champs Libres comes from the two Sauvignon clones - Bordeaux and those propagated from Sancerre clones. The palate is well balanced with fine acidity, more developed with orange zest and apricot, a touch of ginger towards the very focused and persistent finish. Baptiste Guinaudeau suggested that this vintage will undergo a longer élevage than usual, and as such, I would also recommend affording it some bottle age, as it is likely to evolve equally slowly. 92-94 Neal Martin.