Château La Clarière Blanc 2022

Lying on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, Castillon is known for clarets – its reds! Indeed the appellation officially may only produce red wines, but that hasn’t stopped the team at Château La Clarière. They wanted to make a white of equally fine standing. So they planted two vineyards on the estate, on terroir particularly suited to white grapes, with both Sauvignons Gris and Blanc, and have reaped the awards ever since – a Trophy and 18 Golds since its launch. Blended from bright Sauvignon Blanc and richer Sauvignon Gris, oak fermented and lees aged for almost a year in part-new oak barrels, it's reminiscent of the grand wines of Pessac Léognan. Best enjoyed from spring 2024, with sauced white meat or fish. Or cellar to allow layers of complexity to develop. Hard to argue with 3 Golds!