Chateau Chasse-Spleen, Bordeaux Blanc de Chasse-Spleen

On a whim I picked up a bottle of this just to see if it had survived 12 years. And while it's definitely drinkable, the palate is dominated by oxidative notes and there's no complexity or subtlety about it any more. On the basis of a single sample, I call this way over the hill.

I love the name of this château. It normally does the job too! The white, whose first vintage was 1995, is unusual for the dominance of Sémillon (65%) over Sauvignon Blanc (35%), a bit like Haut Brion Blanc and Laville Haut Brion. Sadly the terroir is not the same. 2 hectares only were planted. Colour: medium gold, bright, clear. Nose: very full, quite fresh, very ripe apricots, then notes of caramel, reminds me of the dry Sauternes/Barsac in its opulence. …

Pas mon genre, pas d’equilibre, aqueux, boff

Charmé par le fait que je ne bois que très peu de blancs bordelais. Première impression très agréable. Nez de poire, goyave, citron et herbes sèches. La bouche est vive, minérale et saline puis devient plus rond et riche sur sa longueur. Ça va bénéficier de 2 ans+ de repos. J'achėterais à nouveau.

Bouchon

This is in a very nice place now. Semillon is dominant with peachy notes, slightly viscous texture and lime aromas. No noticeable oak or cat pee in this one. Smooth.

a fresh bordeaux with well integrated acidity. Lacks some fruit, more floral notes and minerality. Put on some weight since last time I tasted this. Serve it a bit on the colder side in the summer sun and you'll have a winner.

Nice Sauv Blanc from Bordeaux

Tropical fruits, citrus and minerality. Crisp, clean and bone dry mouthfeel. The fruit is good, but what really sticks out is the lemon driven acidity and the minerality which shows from start to end. Oak is there, but only bringing complexity and weight, not bothering at all.

A private lunch (Restaurant Yamazato *, Amsterdam, NL) : Solid white Bordeaux, well-judged oak, good depth, complete.