Mary Taylor Bordeaux Blanc 2023 750ml
Geographically, the epicenter of Bordeaux’s dry white production lies in the Entre-Deux-Mers (“between the two tides”) sub-region between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. The area’s gravel-rich soils make it ideal for growing crisp, racy, mineral-driven whites primarily derived from the ever-popular Sauvignon Blanc grape. But don’t let the varietal breakdown fool you. The best examples—such as this one from artisan winemaker Jean-Marc Barthez, who serves as president of a small co-operative winery in the ancient village of Monségur—will overturn everything you’ve come to expect from the usual lineup of “varietal” Sauvignon Blanc from Chile or New Zealand.
Sourced from vineyards that surround the winery and fermented without oak to preserve the underlying expression of its classic terroir, this is Sauvignon Blanc as channeled through the unique prism of Bordeaux, offering the enhanced texture, elegance, and richness of body that are the region’s hallmarks. According to Jean-Marc, part of that depth also results from the slight touch of Sémillon (the region’s “other” white grape) he includes in the blend, which imparts a certain “je ne sais quoi” that immediately conjures white Bordeaux. With its cleansing freshness, acidity, and flavors of citrus and melon, it’s a quintessential oyster wine. Still, it has all the necessary structure to stand up to richer fish and shellfish dishes (think pan-seared trout or broiled lobster).
“Mary Taylor is a negociant sourcing from specific individual producers, in this case Jean Marc Barthez, who presides over a small co-op winery in Bordeaux’s Entre-Deux-Mers region. It is 95% sauvignon blanc and 5% semillon. At only 11.5% alcohol if offers up a light to mid-weight, unoaked version with nicely defined sauvignon aromas of gooseberry, guava, lime, quinine and tarragon. It is very well balanced, lively and crisp with very good flavour intensity and a bitter green finish. A very fine example at an excellent price 90 Points – David Lawrason, Wine Align”