B-21 Top Recommendation
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A duo of elegant dry white Bordeaux produced by two outstanding Sauternes estates, the 94 pt. 2022 Le G de Chateau Guiraud and 93 pt. 2021 Rieussec R Vin Blanc de Rieussec are affordably priced for Bordeaux fans and anyone seeking an enticing dry French white to stock the cooler and enjoy without hesitation, “made to the same high standards that these storied chateaus are famed for” according to James Suckling at a fraction of the price of their Grand Vin.
Surrounded by biodiverse forests in the heart of the Sauternes region, Chateau Guiraud’s 103 hectares of vineyards are planted with a high proportion of 35% Sauvignon Blanc along with Semillon in sandy gravel soils mixed with limestone and clay, about half of the estate’s production dedicated to the G de Guiraud dry white wine. A blend of 53% Sauvignon Blanc and 47% Semillon in the first vintage crafted by Sandrine Garbay, former winemaker of Chateau D’Yquem, the richly textured 93 pt. 2022 Le G de Chateau Guiraud was aged in 50% stainless steel vats and 50% in one year barrels previously used for the Sauternes Grand Cru and matured on the lees for 6 months, described as “bright and juicy” by the Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth with nuances of chalky minerality and spice. Located in Fargues adjacent to Chateau d’Yquem and owned by Chateau Lafite Rothschild since 1984, Chateau Rieussec’s 85 hectares vineyards are of planted to 90% Semillon, 7% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscadelle over gravel, sand, clay and limestone soils, producing the 2021 Rieussec R from healthy grapes that do not have the required amount of botrytization for the Sauternes. From “a brilliant vintage” producing “compelling and absolutely riveting” dry whites according to Vinous critic Antonio Galloni, the richly aromatic 2021 Rieussec R Vin Blanc de Rieussec is a blend of 59% Sauvignon Blanc vinified in stainless steel and 41% Semillon matured in new oak barrels for six months with regular lees stirring, revealing crisp, vibrant citrus and tropical fruit and with “a delicious chalky salinity” on a lingering finish according to Decanter’s Georgina Hindle and offering “a decade of potential,” its new design featuring an opaque Burgundy-shaped bottle made from 96% recycled glass.
Describing them as "Bordeaux's most underrated wines,” Nathan Sloan of James Suckling calls these dry Bordeaux blanc “a value proposition hiding in plain sight,” this duo of top scoring white Bordeaux offering a harmonious blend of richly textured Semillon and vibrant Sauvignon Blanc for an unbeatable bargain price. | 
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