Les Hauts de Larrivet Haut-Brion Blanc, Pessac-Leognan

This needs to breathe! It’s very sulfurous out of the bottle right now. 90 minutes of decanting was enough to blow that off and start opening the wine up. Strong aroma of mango, pineapple, and gentle vanilla. Medium body and medium+ acidity, tropical flavors, some herbaciousness, and a lot of oak. The finish is short and bright.

Limpid and pale yellow, this second wine of Château Larrivet Haut-Brion (an unspecified blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon that is reserved for mass distribution) delivers an attractive package of quince, pit fruits, wet stones, beeswax and mint. Light-bodied, fresh and without noticeable alcohol (listed as 14%), it adds a wisp of oak and stays solid on the mid-palate. Finishing crisp and with medium length, it is a well-crafted white Bordeaux that can be served as an apéritif or paired …