2018, Château Les Champs Libres, BORDEAUX BLANC, (Ch. Lafleur)

Bordeaux Blanc: 100% Sauvignon Blanc.

The 2018 Les Champs Libres, matured in Burgundy barrels on the fine lees, offers crisp apple blossom, Conference pear and light candle wax scents on a nose that gradually opens with aeration. The palate is lightly spiced on the entry, with Granny Smith apples, peach skin and quite a saline, almost Loire-like finish that feels very persistent. Excellent. 91 Neal Martin, Vinous.

The 2018 Les Champs Libres (100% Sauvignon Blanc) brings together the richness of the year with the briskness that is typical of this wine. In 2018 Les Champs Libres is a bit richer than normal, the result of a brutally hot and dry summer. Light tropical notes, lemon confit, sage, white flowers and a kiss of new French oak are all generous in this rich, creamy white from the Guinadeau family. The 2018 is aging in French oak barrels, 80% new. 89-92 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.

This is brilliant, so flavourful with so much persistency and fully embraces the slate texture. I always love this wine, and it stands out even more than usual in this vintage because so many whites have missed this gathering of pace and clear minerality. Massal selection from Sancerre estates. 95 Jane Anson, Decanter.

The Les Champs Libres 2018 Blanc is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre sélection massale clones, produced by the very talented Guinaudeau family (of Chateau Lafleur fame). It offers up a beguiling nose of lemon drops, lime blossoms, struck flint and fresh grapefruit with hints of mandarin peel and coriander seed. The elegant, refreshing, medium-bodied palate has an electric line of intense citrus flavours with tons of mineral sparks, finishing long and perfumed. This is absolutely a wine without peer in Bordeaux (anywhere!), and I love it! 95 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate.

Drinking Window: 2022 - 2032