Château Tour des Graves Côtes de Bourg Blanc 2022

Winemaking

Château Tour des Graves crafts wines with respect for the classic Bordeaux white tradition, balancing the herbaceous minerality of Sauvignon Blanc with the textural richness that Sémillon brings to the blend. The approach here favors freshness and food-friendliness, allowing the distinctive terroir of Côtes de Bourg to express itself without heavy-handed intervention.

Tasting Notes

This is a bright, mineral-forward white that opens with citrus and green apple aromatics, accompanied by subtle herbaceous undertones that speak to the Sauvignon Blanc's presence. On the palate, crisp acidity and a saline minerality create a structured foundation for flavors of grapefruit and white peach, with the Sémillon adding a touch of textural weight beneath the liveliness. The finish is clean and refreshing, lingering with that characteristic coastal mineral note that defines the best of Côtes de Bourg whites.

Producer

Château Tour des Graves is an established estate within the Côtes de Bourg appellation, a region historically overlooked but increasingly recognized for producing excellent value-driven Bordeaux wines. The property maintains traditional vineyard practices suited to the region's cool-climate position on the right bank of the Gironde estuary, where quality white production has gained particular momentum in recent years.

Terroir

Côtes de Bourg sits on the right bank of the Gironde estuary, north of Pomerol, where Atlantic influences moderate the continental climate and create ideal conditions for crisp whites. The vineyard soils here are a patchwork of clay, limestone, and sandy elements—a composition that yields wines with pronounced minerality and natural acidity. This northern positioning within Bordeaux grants the grapes fresher characteristics than their Left Bank counterparts, making Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon blends here particularly vibrant and food-oriented.

Food Pairings

Try this with pan-seared scallops finished with brown butter and lemon, where the wine's salinity and acidity cut through the richness beautifully. A simple grilled branzino with herbs and olive oil is equally at home, as is a goat cheese and arugula salad with crusty bread for a lighter lunch pairing.