SAQ Graves white 2023, Château de Respide

Follow this link for SAQ: https://www.saq.com/fr/15156171

A reassuring Bordeaux

This property, which has existed as a wine estate since 1630, has recently come under the stewardship of the young Chatin family. Drawing on experience in Champagne and Argentina, Amélie, in charge of winemaking, has taken over the estate from the experienced hands of the Bonnet family.

In the far south of the Graves region (still 50km from Bordeaux), it is practically more South-West than Gironde. Naturally, they make reds here, but also affordable whites using the two flagship grape varieties of Bordeaux: Sauvignon and Sémillon.

On the first nose, the Sauvignon expresses itself through a fruity and refreshing structure. On the palate, the Sémillon stands out with a smooth, honeyed texture before giving way to the vivacity of the Sauvignon and its citrus notes. This wine is aged exclusively in stainless steel tanks.

Excellent value for money for this aperitif white.

• To pair with: a nice goat cheese "gratinéed" on artisanal bread with a touch of honey,
• Fun fact: Toulouse-Lautrec, the nephew of a former owner, is said to have spent summers painting at the château.
• To better understand white Bordeaux: get on the waiting list for the workshop on the subject in the fall of '24!
• If you ever wish to explore the impact of barrel aging on the estate's white wines, you could taste the 2022 Cuvée Callipyge side-by-side, from the same château for $26 at the SAQ (15156163)