Despagne Biface Blanc 2016

A White Bordeaux in Burgundy bottle! This bottle lends itself to one of the broadest interpretation I have had over my career. Herbs and grassy on the nose to start, the full spectrum of the nose from citrus fruit, through stone fruit to tropical fruit depends on when and how you taste it. 50% Sauvignon Blanc, yet not tart at all; 50% Semillon adds to the weight and the juiciness. Fresh with low acidity, the palate recalls a lot of Tianjian pear with salinity and citrus finish. Good value.

The know-how of the "Despagne", freed from the traditional codes of the appellation, is the "Esprit Libre" that the Despagne family likes to produce and drink: grapes from high-density plots on which the processed soil is clean, open and balanced wines that are easily digestible without ageing! It is an alternative to the accents of the oceanic terroirs. Biface is an ancient farming tool.

The score is excellent WE88. The commentators write, ' From a multiple-parcel blend that includes old Sémillon, this wine comes from vineyards in the Entre-Deux-Mers of Bordeaux. With the right balance between acidity, crisp fruit and much riper quince and pear, the wine is young but already delicious. '