Description
Château La Garde Pessac-Léognan Blanc is only produced in limited quantities. Planted on a vein of deep limestone, Sauvignon Blanc is the majority variety in the blend. It imparts the wine with rare aromatic precision and chiselled mineral character, underpinned by impressive length. Semillon is the perfect finishing touch to the blend and brings depth, harmony, and full flavours
Grape
94% Sauvignon Blanc – 6% Sémillon
Vineyard & Vinification Note
HVE3 and Terra Vitis certified (High environmental value certificates)
Château La Garde was one of the first properties to introduce integrated viticulture, which produces premium quality grapes with total respect for the environment and humanity. Studies on the estate have analysed the correlation between grape ripening and soil quality and subsoil, particularly regarding water retention capacity. This has resulted in a highly detailed mapping of the vineyard, identifying individual rows or micro-plots within each parcel which reach full ripeness at the same rate. As a result of trials previously undertaken on test plots, coupled with our in-depth knowledge of the vineyard, our teams can now tailor and fine-tune viticultural practices in each zone accordingly.
Carefully considered soil management techniques – tailored ploughing methods and green fertiliser – and an environmentally conscious approach to protecting the vineyard (reducing inputs, sexual confusion to combat pests, machine weeding, manual canopy management and yield control) promote harmony in the vine. These detailed, rigorous techniques are essential in controlling yields and plant vigour, resulting in optimised grape ripeness.
Severe pruning, for example, promotes even budburst, while bud stripping, secondary shoot removal, desuckering, and leaf stripping improve air circulation around the grapes and guarantee healthy fruit.
The grapes are harvested selectively on a row-by-row basis and with meticulous care, ensuring that only perfectly ripe grapes of uniform ripeness enter the tanks.
Soils: Limestone
Harvest: Manual picking in small crates, plot by plot, in the morning when temperatures are cooler
Vinification: Grapes pressed protected by Nitrogen. Alcoholic fermentation in oak barrels.
Ageing: 8 months in oak barrels (12% new) with stirring of the lees (Oxo Line system).
Tasting Note
Attractive, pale straw, flashed with pale green. The nose echoes the typical limestone terroir of La Garde Sauvignon Blanc, fresh and mineral, exuding citrus fruit notes. Direct on the palate from the outset, concentrated, revealing freshness, fruit and elegant floral notes in perfect balance. Vibrant acidity lengthens the finish, underscored by glorious minerality. Frédéric Bonnaffous, Dourthe Estates Director
Decanter Magazine
Lively and bright, such intensity of sharp lemon and lime at the beginning, straight but forward and so expressive. Crunchy and crisp, so charming and enjoyable with lift and length and the most lovely saline, mineral aspects towards the finish giving different nuance and complexity. Feels really well made, if only they made more of this. A lovely bitter tang on the finish reminds you it’s serious, one of the best whites with such sherbet juiciness, sharp, lively, intense – I love it! Focused and pure. 95 Points, Georgie Hindle, May 2023
James Suckling
A tight and focused white with sliced and crushed apple. Pie tart. Lime. Mineral and aniseed. Complex. Medium body. Nicely done. 92-93 Points, April 2023
Wine Advocate
A blend of 94% Sauvignon Blanc and 6% Sémillon, the 2022 La Garde Blanc offers up aromas of lemon, lemon oil, verbena, lime tree and menthol. Chiselled and tense, lively and energetic, it has a vibrant spine of acidity and a saline finish. This estate is experiencing a resurgence of interest from its owners, and Pessac-Léognan enthusiasts should observe its evolution in the coming years. 91-93 Points, Yohan Castaing, April
Food Pairing
This wine is a perfect match with shellfish, grilled fish or in a sauce, and hard cheeses.
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