Château Pape Clément Blanc 2020

The Château Pape Clément Blanc is a Bordeaux white that is especially well-liked by all those who try it. If the Pape Clément red is a constant, always a sure winner, the white is an absolute delight. After a gentle pressing, the must of the best Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc (primarily) grapes flows by means of gravity through to French oak barrels in which it will ferment and undergo the efforts of battonage. Subsequent ageing takes place, almost entirely, in oak, although a small amount of the wine matures in egg-shaped concrete tanks. It's a white appearing an intense golden colour with greenish glints, and displays at first a shy nose which soon becomes expressive and reveals citrus hints, with apple and honeysuckle. The oak is discerned but discretely, having subtle vanilla and toasty notes. Some cool spices come through on a full, round palate, with rounded tannins and an intense minerality which stays smooth thanks to a lime acidity. A saline finish.