TWENTY TWENTY THREE!!

And just like that, another year is behind us, and our brain is twisted in a pretzel trying to comprehend it. Or maybe we’re just suffering from Champagne-brain after last night.

One thing we’re clear on after tasting this: “drink more white Bordeaux” added to the list of resolutions. Make it the kind with DOUBLE 93 points and chunky discounts. So much easier than hitting the gym. At our rock-bottom price it’s cheaper, too!

Bernard Magrez is a tour de force in wine. He owns a mind-boggling 42+ wineries, among them a few legendary names like Châteaux La Tour Carnet, Pape Clément, Clos Haut-Peyraguey, Fombrauge… He’s a fan of making big, potent wines which earn 95-100 point scores like it’s going out of style, with the magic touch of Michel Rolland as the world’s top consulting oenologist of course…

Fascinating fact for the geeks: This wine is essentially 100% grown and made in Saint-Émilion, however French laws only register the appellation for red wines, so whites grown here, even in this prime sector called Saint Christophe des Bardes, must be labeled as Bordeaux Blanc. With Rolland making it, and the bottle bearing the Magrez seal, what matters is what’s inside!

So, yea, Bordeaux Blanc, but do it Magrez style. That means blending 50% Sauvignon Gris, 30% Sémillon, 20% Sauvignon Blanc. The last one isn’t usually seen in white Bordeaux, lending fantastic complexity to this lip-smacking white imbibed with a rare, fascinating combination of power and freshness. Juicy white peaches, an intoxicating mélange of jasmine or honeysuckle, lemongrass, vanilla custard, crème fraîche. Pure ambrosia! That’s the simple description. There is SO much more to it. Can’t shuck them oysters fast enough, save me a glass, will ya?

Not much of this crazy good deal, let the scores speak!

93 Points – Jeb Dunnuck

“A bright, juicy white that still brings plenty of concentration, the 2019 Château Magrez Fombrauge Blanc offers lots of juicy apple and citrus notes as well as medium-bodied richness and depth, bright acidity, and a clean, lengthy finish.”

93 Points – James Suckling

“Dried lemon with hints of burnt orange and hot stone. Minerals, too. Mango, pear and cooked-apple character. Full-bodied with a creamy texture and crushed-stone and dried-fruit character. It’s full-bodied and delicious already. Round texture with bright acidity at the end. Drink now.”

92+ Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“The 2019 Magrez Fombrauge Blanc needs a little coaxing to reveal notes of freshly squeezed lemons, Bosc pears and white peaches with hints of dill seed, honeysuckle and chalk dust. The medium-bodied palate has electric freshness, complementing the bold, citrus flavors, finishing long and mineral laced.”