FRANCS CÔTES DE BORDEAUX

4276

CHÂTEAU PUYANCHÉ, FRANCS CÔTES DE BORDEAUX, BLANC, VIGNOBLES ARBO, 2021

Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon

$ 27

$ 162

Pronounced nose. A hint of botrytis then vanilla, pineapple, cedar, clove, and candle wax. This is a full-bodied white with the oak very much to the fore on the palate in a way that by no means dominates the whole. There is complex ripe fruit – tinned peaches, lychee and passionfruit. The length is excellent and the balance between the components nicely judgedthose looking for a big white (or an alternative to white Rioja) could do worse than stop here.

2023-2028 –mp

4277

TERRE DE CERF, FRANCS CÔTES DE BORDEAUX, VIGNOBLES ARBO, 2016

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon

$ 22

$ 132

Fully mature, jovial Bordeaux with notes of baked plum, forest floor and sandalwood. There is a fine acidity, and the tannins are well-integrated. It is testament to both the quality of the winemaking and the near perfect vintage conditions that this has enduring appeal.

Drink now – mp

13%

Vanilla, pineapple, cedar, clove

Cedar, toasted almond, tinned peaches, lychee, passionfruit, [0.00]

Seafood medley in creamy wine-garlic sauce

NEW

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc

$ 28 $ 168

14%

Baked plum, forest floor, undergrowth, sandalwood

Baked plum, forest floor, undergrowth, sandalwood

Grilled sausages with fennel and peppers

Complex nose with secondary notes of cedar, cigar box, and forest floor mingled with blackberry, plum, and fruitcake. On the palate, there is ripe black fruit (damson, cooked plum) together with tertiary character of sweet spice and dried leaves. The finish reveals attractive fruit supported by dusty tannins and zesty acidity. This has stood the test of time.

Drink now – mp

14.5%

Cedar, cigar box, blackberry, fruitcake

Damson, cooked plum, sweet spice, dried leaves

Classic andouille and seafood jambalaya

A racy, citrus-driven Sauvignon Blanc blended with a small portion of aromatic Muscadelle. While this youthful white is barrel fermented and aged in new French oak, the imprint is not overpowering bringing more weight than flavour. Hints of toasty vanilla temper the nervy lemon, gooseberry notes. Finishes with a refreshing bitterness that only adds to its food friendly nature. 2023-2027–jb