Château La Clarière Blanc 2024

Tony Laithwaite had long wanted to make an estate white at La Clarière, but traditionally Bordeaux's Castillon is all about reds. Now, with some top vineyards he's crafted this superb, oak-fermented, lees-aged white. Citrusy, spiced and long.

Lying on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, Castillon is known for its clarets. Indeed the appellation may only produce red wines, but that hasn’t stopped the team at Château La Clarière wanting to make a white of equally fine standing. So they planted two vineyards on the estate, on terroir particularly suited to white grapes, with both Sauvignons Gris and Blanc, and have reaped the awards ever since – a Trophy and 18 Golds since its launch. Blended from bright Sauvignon Blanc and richer Sauvignon Gris, oak fermented and lees aged for almost a year in part-new oak barrels, it's reminiscent of the grand wines of Pessac-Léognan. Best enjoyed from Christmas onwards, with sauced white meat or fish. Or cellar to allow layers of complexity to develop.