Clos Floridène, Graves, Bordeaux, 2015

One of the great whites of Bordeaux, and in 2015 the lower acidity of the vintage is reflected in the dominance of forward, exotic apricot, nectarine and juicy peach fruit. This is a vintage that will attract many people who might feel Bordeaux white is normally too sharp; here it delivers freshness with a rounded edge.

Linden tea and herb aromas prove enchanting lending both elegance and refinement, although it is somewhat varietal on the palate. The estate divided the harvest into separate pickings to ensure ripeness: 'An almost New World Sauvignon Blanc', remarked Strasbourg-based sommelier Paulo Puel, despite nearly 50% Sémillon in the blend. While the 2014 is more nuanced, by comparison, the 2015 has a more youthful energy and the Sémillon character should be more pronounced in two years.