The LÉGENDE Bordeaux Blanc 2019 is 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Sémillon sourced from a vineyard in the Entre-deux-Mers region of Bordeaux in southewest France. 90% of the wines produced in Bordeaux are Red but Entre-duex-Mers accounts for 90% of the White wine.
The LÉGENDE is a brand owned by Domaines Barons De Rothschild (LAFITE) which is part of Taub Family Selections. Ninety-Five percent of the LÉGENDE wines ( they have a full line of Bordeaux wines from various regions inside Bordeaux) are exported out of France.
All but one of the LÉGENDE wines use grapes sourced from contracted vineyards and not Lafite estate vineyards. This allows these wines if a significant pedigree to be affordable. The Blanc lists for $19, but a check of the web showed prices from $12 to $18.
Bordeaux calls their White wine simple “Blanc” which translates to is French for White. They do not show Sauvignon Blanc on the label, though they do show the grapes and the percentages on the back label.
Sauvignon Blanc is an extremely popular White wine and the Bordeaux version is extremely attractive. But I find that the average American wine drinker does not know Border Blanc means Sauvignon Blanc.
One major difference between Bordeaux Blanc and other Sauvignon Blanc is Bordeaux’s addition of the Sémillon to the mix. Sémillon rounds out the Sauvignon Blanc and mutes some of Sauv Blancs “spikey” flavors. While adding delicious complimentary flavors.
The LÉGENDE Bordeaux Blanc 2019 may have a fancy name, but it is a young drink-it-now wine meant to be consumed now rather than later. It was fermented and aged,” on lees”, in stainless steel tanks, no oak barrels. Not unlike make Sauvignon Blanc in this price range, but you will find this Sauv Blanc to have a different character from the typical value-priced Sauvignon Blanc.
“On lees” is important in White wine, it means that the dead, spent yeast and grape residue are left in the tanks while aging. The lees are stirred on a schedule based on what effect the winemaker desires and often gives the wine a nutty, salty sensation. The alcohol content is 12%, many Sauv Blancs from other growing areas will show 13.5% or more. It is a very French style to have lower alcohol and not always easy to achieve with global warming issues.
LÉGENDE Bordeaux Blanc 2019 Tasting Notes
The color is pale lemon yellow. The nose is very pleasing, it made me smile. There are notes of peach, pear, pineapple, lemon, lime, and grapefruit, with ripe apple, citrus spice, and papaya.
This is a Sauvignon Blanc with excellent acidity and rich varied flavors. It tastes of grapefruit, unsweetened pineapple, green apple, lime, and slightly sour peach.
The mid-palate adds tropical fruit salad, that salty on lees thing, and a slight creamy sensation. The acidity will have you reaching for the next sip before you know it.
The Summary
- The LÉGENDE Bordeaux Blanc 2019 is a classy Sauvignon Blanc.
- It will have you wondering why more winemakers do not add in Sémillon. These two grapes do work well together.
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