2017 Blanc de Lynch Bages

The 2017 Blanc de Lynch Bages, already bottled, is a blend of 41% Sémillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc and 19% Muscadelle. It leaps from the glass with exuberant notes of white peaches, pink grapefruit and passion fruit plus hints of dried herbs, cedar and honeysuckle. Medium-bodied, elegantly played and wonderfully refreshing in the mouth, it has a quiet intensity that grows into a vibrant expression on the finish.

The 2017 Blanc de Lynch Bages, which was slightly affected by frost, especially the Sauvignon Blanc, had been bottled the previous week. A blend of 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 41% Sémillon and 19% Muscadelle and matured in 45% new oak, it has a fresh green apple and gooseberry scented bouquet with the Sauvignon firmly in charge. The palate is well balanced with a fine thread of acidity, touches of grapefruit, melon and pineapple leading to a slightly blank but fresh finish that will need a year in bottle to develop more personality.

40% Sauvignon Blanc, 41% Sémillon, 19% Muscadelle (some frost in the Sauvignon Blanc – usually it's in the majority and there's usually less Muscadelle). 50% barrel-fermented but it doesn't show much. A little grapey and floral on the nose. Creamy with strong clementine flavours on the palate. Not typically Bordeaux Blanc, perhaps, but fragrant, almost exotic. Fresh and lively. Not terribly concentrated but pretty and scented and there is some depth with the lees adding a very slight grip and a light spice on the finish, more in texture than flavour. There's a range of flavours rather than intensity. (JH)