Bordeaux en primeur: Pessac-Léognan whites 2016

This takes a beat before getting going, then kicks in with elegance and power. It has been in bottle for a year at this point...

They have the weight of expectation here, of course, with this wine known to be one of the greatest whites in Bordeaux, and you can...

This is so young right now, which seems crazy to say for a white wine, I know. But at two years old it has hardly...

I just love this wine, it's incredibly rich and dense yet light in texture, steadily working its way upwards through the palate. Rich citrus flavours...

This has a little more richness than some, managing to achieve the point of bitterness on the finish that gives a welcome sense of direction....

Here we get a curl of woodsmoke, very subtle and well handled but it just signals that we have moved up a gear into a...

More obviously rich than some, majoring on toasted hazelnut aromas. It has done its level best to fatten things up in a tough vintage for...

Oak is still a big part of the story with Pape Clément's white wine, but the change comes in the introduction of a variety of...

Juicy white peaches and nectarines, with a fresh, almost bracing vivacity and a mouthwatering finish with gentle white pepper notes. Very good, one of the...

Powerfully aromatic with grapefruit, lemon verbena and grassy tones. Classy oak and ripe fruit on the palate supported by a tangy acidity.

This delivers a feeling of juiciness that is not apparent in every white, making it all the more welcome. It has tension, and is a...

This has lovely gentle citrus and freshly sliced peach and grapefruit. A great delivery without being too much, another success.

Exceptionally rich flavour and succulence on show here, a lovely Clarté in a tough vintage that is more exotic than in some years but absolutely...

Alcohol levels are hovering fairly high for the whites as well as the reds. This is a rich and sexy take on the vintage, and...

This is impactful, showing rich apricot and exotic fruits and a clear smoky edge. There is 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Sauvignon Gris in...

Clever use of extremely subtle oak that gives structure and body without being intrusive. This doesn't have the mineral directness and depth of, say 2011...