If You Like Sauvignon Blanc Wine, You May Love The White Wines From Bordeaux

Bordeaux is justifiably known for making some of the very best red wines in the world.  And while the red wines from some of the most famous vineyards in Bordeaux range from several hundred dollars a bottle to a couple thousand dollars a bottle, there are very good Bordeaux red wines in the $12-30 range.  But the very enjoyable white wines from that region are what often gets lost in all the attention given to the red wines of Bordeaux.  Yes, the famous vineyards getting lots of money for each bottle of their red wine also make white wines, those wines are again hundreds of dollars a bottle.  But I have found some really enjoyable Bordeaux white wines that sell for $13-30 and I have ten of them that I am recommending in this blog.

What does this have to do with Sauvignon Blanc?  Most Bordeaux white wines are a blend of two grapes. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.  Sometimes a few other grapes are also added in small quantities, but those two grapes are the primary ones in Bordeaux Blanc, which is what the French call the white wines from the Bordeaux region.  That blend adds some additional flavors and character to the Sauvignon Blanc that I really enjoy.  This post is an update to the blog post I did 2 years ago on Bordeaux Blanc wines and introduces three wines that were not on that list from two years ago. 

My wife and I have been long time members of the ABC club when it came to white wine – Anything But Chardonnay.  This was driven by the available chardonnays that were primarily from California and featured a big oaky flavor.  We are not fans of lots of oak taste in wines.  Many people love that taste and I have nothing bad to say about it. We just don’t enjoy very oaky wines.  We have found some very enjoyable unoaked Chardonnay, mostly from the Burgundy region of France and from Oregon but that is a planned future blog post.  Getting back to Sauvignon Blanc, that was our white wine of choice for years.  When we got introduced to some Bordeaux Blanc wines, they had all the things we liked about Sauvignon Blanc, and more. 

Sémillon is a golden-skinned grape that is native to the Bordeaux region of France and has been widely grown in Australia. South Africa, and Chile for over 100 years.  It is used to make both dry and sweet white wines. Its thin skin makes it susceptible to the botrytis fungus that is the key to some of the most expensive white wines in the world, the decadent sweet wine from Sauternes.   But when the vines are grown not to be exposed to that fungus, that grape makes a very nice dry white wine.  Sémillon is known for its high levels of aroma compounds which offer a delightful play of fragrant citrus fruits mingled with undertones of dried grass and subtle minerality. On the palate Sémillon typically shows refreshingly moderate acidity and a full-bodied texture that can be delightfully silky. It leans toward the fuller side of the body spectrum.  I have found only a few dry white wines that are 100% Sémillon, and frankly none of them greatly appealed to me.   But, when partnered with Sauvignon Blanc, I found wines that I really enjoyed.  One of the wines in my list is 91% Sauvignon Blanc.  But half of the wines have Sémillon as the primary grape, one of them with 70% Sémillon. 

The heart of the white wine region in Bordeaux is the Graves region which the map above shows is south of the Medoc region of Bordeaux and on the left bank of the Gironde River.  At the very bottom of the map you will see Sauternes, home of the great sweet wine.  Just under the Bordeaux marker for the city of Bordeaux, you will see the Pessac Leognan region which is the AOC in Graves where some of the best white wines are made and I have three wines on the list from this AOC.  Some reasonably priced Bordeaux Blanc wines are made in the Medoc region on the Left Bank and in the some of the Right Bank vineyards.  There is a strong belief that the name for the Sémillon grape came from the town of St. Emilion, where some of the best Right Bank red wines are made.  The big pink area in the middle with the name Entre-Deux-Mers is worthy of note because it is developing a very good set of white wine estates and, because it falls in between the two famous regions of Bordeaux, the Left Bank and the Right Bank, its wines are lower priced, but still nice table wines.   The name translates to Between the Two Waters as it sits between the more famous Gironde River and the Dordogne River. 

Below are 10 Bordeaux Blanc wines that I recommend that you try listed in the order of my preference.  The bpttom wines on the list are in my cellar and highly recommended, the ones at the top of the list are just a little more my favorites.  The information for each of the wines comes from different web sources.  Where possible, I use the aromas and tastes that come from the website of the estate for that wine.  I also have what I usually see as the price for these wines, but they can differ based on different locations and vintages. 

The AOC designation is the specific geographic region that produces this wine.  For more information on Bordeaux AOCs, you can download a write up on  Bordeaux Geography and Geographic Classifications using the link below.  The heart of the white wine region in Bordeaux is the Graves region which the map below shows is south of the Medoc region of Bordeaux and on the left bank of the Garonne River. 

After this brief discussion of each of these wines, I have a short paragraph on where to get them. 

Lions de Suduiraut Blanc Sec – Bordeaux Blanc AOC.  This wine is my favorite Bordeaux Blanc.   It has a unique personality thanks to a singular blending style made of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, depending on the vintage.  Smooth, subtle, fresh and mineral, with a creative profile, Lions de Suduiraut is modern and pleasant to taste young.  Suduiraut makes some of the best wines in Graves, including one of the top Sauternes.    In 2024 the blend was Sémillon 56%, Sauvignon Blanc 29%, Sauvignon Gris 15%.  $20.

Clos Floridene – Graves AOC, 55% Sémillon, 44% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Muscadelle.  On the first day of our great trip to Bordeaux we had a cruise up the Gironde River, and this was one of the wines we were introduced to, and it immediately became a favorite.    Denis Dubourdieu was the white wine master of Bordeaux for years, consulting with all the top vineyards on their white wines until he died in 2016.  This wine comes from what was his personal vineyard in Graves.   Bright and lively in the glass, tangy and sharp but so well balanced with intensity yet softness, getting the liveliness and energy but also complexity of flavor – lemon, pineapple, apricot and peach – sharp, almost sour, so tangy and zesty in the glass just shining brightly.  $30.

Domaine De La Solitude – Pessac- Leognan AOC.  The wine stays near the top of my list even though it is very hard to find.  The great white wine from this estate at a very attractive price sells out quickly and a very large fan base in France limits the amount exported.    The typical bends are around 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Semillon.  The palate is juicy, creamy, and fresh, with sweet, yellow citrus from start to finish. Aged for 9 months in French oak barrels on fine lees, these white wines are bottled before the following summer.  Its freshness, structure, elegance, and beautiful length on the palate give it a true aging capability. A few years in the cellar reveals an aromatic and gustatory complexity that offers numerous food and wine pairing possibilities.  $29.  Note – there is an estate in the Rhone Valley with the same name.  I have not had their wines but if you want to try this wine, be sure it say it is from Pessac Leognan. 

Chateau Hart-Vigneau – Pessac Leognan AOC.  The typical blend is 80% Sauvignon Blanc, and 20% Sémillon. Tropical fruit and lime flavors come through along with good acidity and a crisp aftertaste.  It has a brilliant pale yellow breezy bouquet of citrus gooseberries and a hint of Creme Brule. On the palate the Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon notes race along glistening with an edge of brisk lemon pith as the wine provides a mouthwatering finish of white flower tarragon and graceful minerality.  $28.

Clos Des Lunes ‘Lune d’Argent – Grand Vin Blanc Sec, Bordeaux AOC, The typical blend here is Sémillon 70% and Sauvignon Blanc 30%.  The palate is dry with passion fruit and pear notes underpinned by a distinct salinity. The wine is medium to full bodied and has good depth. Acidity gives fair freshness.  A rounded, clean, pungent, fresh finish.  $20.

Les Legends Bordeaux – Bordeaux Blanc AOC.  The Legende wines come from the Domaines Barons de Rothschild, which is part of the Lafite Rothschild family of wines.  The Legende wines are the low-cost introduction to the wines from this most famous wine producer and they have a product range that includes each of the five major appellations in Bordeaux: Bordeaux Rouge, Bordeaux Blanc, Medoc, Saint-Emilion and Pauillac, These wines have an approachable style, inspired by every day drinkability and enjoyment. This blend combines tropical fruit notes such as pineapple and passion fruit with delicate mineral notes. Aged on lees, it has a nice roundness balanced by a fresh and crisp finish.  This wine has Sauvignon Blanc as the major partner, generally about 85%.   The 15% Semillon gives the wine its volume and an incredible sensation in the mouth, while increasing its longevity.  $20.

Chateau La Garde – Pessac- Leognan.  The blend for the 2023 vintage was Sauvignon Blanc 91% and Sémillon 9%, the highest percentage of Sauvignon Blanc for the wines in this list.  A fresh, chiseled wine with a distinctive mineral character, supported by great length.  The fresh array of citrus-packed lemon and grapefruit aromas on the complex nose are immediately inviting, accompanied by a typical note of Sauvignon on limestone. Semillon adds the perfect finishing touch to the blend, bringing generosity and balance.  $30.

Chateau Marjosse Blanc – Bordeaux AOC, This is the second lowest cost wine on the list and a great buy.  It offers fresh and floral with notes of white nectarines, crushed stones and hints of chamomile and citrus leaves. Medium-bodied, clean and textural. It’s crisp and tangy but shows delicacy and poise, flavorful and delicious.  The typical blend is Sauvignon Blanc 44%, Sémillon 32%, Sauvignon Gris 20%, Muscadelle 4%. Starting very recently, each kind of grape was harvested and vinified separately in order to have even greater control over the final blend, using only the finest lots. Grapes were harvested at night or during the early morning to take advantage of the cooler temperatures, control oxidation and preserve maximum freshness and complexity of aromas.  $15.

Chateau Granville Lacoste – Graves AOC.  Crisp, fresh, and refreshing with notes of citrus, cut grass, and subtle tropical fruits.  Sémillon 60%, Sauvignon Blanc 35%, Muscadelle 5%.    Their vines are five decades old and therefore have access to deep water reserves.  a rich, full, aromatic mid-palate to complement the clean finish of this wine.  $22.

Chateau Martinon – Entre-Deux-Mers AOC.  This wine introduced us to the very good white wines from this AOC that are real bargains.  A typical blend features ripe Sémillon that gives this wine a smooth character. Creamed-apple flavors are prominent, shot through with tangy gooseberry and grapefruit flavors.  $13.

Below is a link that lets you download a list of these wines which are listed by price, lowest to highest.

For those of you in the DC area, all these wines are usually carried by Calvert Woodley, but are not always in stock.  I just placed my end of year restocking order and was disappointed that the Clos Floridene was out of stock.  Total Wine lists over 100 Bordeaux Blanc wines but only Clos Floridene and Clos Des Lunes from my list.  Most of their Bordeaux Blanc wines I was not familiar with and only about 30 of them were under $30.  With Total Wine, the wines on the shelf will vary from store to store.  I strongly encourage you to use their web site to check on the store closest to you and see what they have in stock.  The easiest way to get any of these wines is probably to order them online from a licensed retailer that will ship to you location.  I do this often and have never had a problem.  Below is a link to my blog post Where Do I Find The Wines That Are Being Recommended?

https://billwinetravelfood.com/2023/07/29/where-do-i-find-the-wines-that-are-being-recommended/

I hope you find some white wines from Bordeaux that will be come your favorites and provide an interesting alternative to your Sauvignon Blanc favorites. 

One final thought about Sauvignon Blanc wines.  When God created the Earth, he lovingly sculpted one small section in France to be perfect for Sauvignon Blanc grapes.  That section is called Sancerre.  If you want to know just how good Sauvignon Blanc single varietal wines can be, try one from Sancerre.