Chateau L'Orangerie Blanc, Bordeaux, France

Bright, vibrant, and bursting with fresh citrus character, the 2024 Chateau de L'Orangerie Blanc from Bordeaux, France is a crisp white blend that captures the essence of its calcareous clay terroir in the heart of Entre-Deux-Mers. This vintage showcases the classic Bordeaux Blanc profile with precision and clarity, making it an exceptional example of this often-underappreciated category.

Product Details:

• Varietals: 80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon
• Soil Type: Calcareous clay hills of Entre-Deux-Mers
• Vine Age: 30 years
• Fermentation: Cold settling; 10-day fermentation at 16–17°C
• Closure: Screwcap
• ABV: 12%

Sensory Description:

The wine pours a brilliant pale yellow gold and immediately releases expressive aromatics of ripe lemon, grapefruit, star fruit, and white peach. On the palate, it’s lithe and poised, offering crisp acidity and a dry, mouth-watering finish that leaves delicate citrus and stone fruit nuances lingering. There’s a youthful tension and purity to the fruit that speaks to careful vinification and the restraint of the region's cooler white wine sites.

Winemaker's Background:

Château L’Orangerie has been under the stewardship of the Icard family since 1790, with eight generations contributing to its ongoing legacy. Located south of Bordeaux in Entre-Deux-Mers, the 250-acre estate thrives on chalk and clay soils that are ideal for producing elegant whites. Sustainable agriculture and modern winemaking facilities ensure that both tradition and innovation play a role in every bottle.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve well-chilled at 8–10°C (46–50°F) in a tulip-shaped white wine glass to preserve its aromatic intensity and crisp texture. This wine is superb as an apéritif, but it also shines alongside fresh seafood like oysters, shrimp, or sea bass, summer salads with goat cheese or citrus vinaigrette, and light vegetarian fare. Its bright acidity makes it an ideal companion to dishes that emphasize freshness and herbal notes.

This charming white blend reflects the authenticity of Bordeaux’s Entre-Deux-Mers with its zesty freshness and clean, elegant fruit profile. The 2024 Chateau de L'Orangerie Blanc is a refreshing, reliable choice that over-delivers on character and craftsmanship.