Vino Voices
Etalon Rouge Le Blanc Sauvignon Blanc
Bordeaux, France
2018 vintage. Etalon Rouge is a tiny 1,46 hectares vineyard (1,26 ha red with 100% Cabernet sauvignon and 0,20 ha white with 100% Sauvignon blanc) situated in the Blaye appellation, but sold as Bordeaux AOC. One of the best kept secrets in Bordeaux, the estate was owned by Gérard Depardieu and Bernard Magrez, followed by painter Thierry Bisch, and today by a group of 10 wine lovers worldwide. Maître de chai these days is Clarissa Schaefer, who is also a very talented painter. With her husband Leslie she owns the wine bar/shop La Petite Cave in Blaye, a must-visit if you are in the region, but they ship worldwide too. The wines of Etalon Rouge are fabulous and are sold on allocation only. The tiny cellar in the centre of Blaye is well worth a visit. This 2018 white is a terrific example of the potential greatness of perfectly ripe Sauvignon blanc in Bordeaux. Aged in French oak with stirring of the lees. Complex nose with white stone fruit (mirabelle, peach), ripe pear, a distinctive minerality and a hint of fresh rosemary. Concentrated and profound with enough acidity to balance the richness and alcohol (abv. 14,5%) in this warm vintage. The oak is hardly noticeable and the mineral finish is impressively long. Take your time to let it warm up to 14 degrees Celsius to capture all the complexity of this beauty. If you are lucky enough to find a bottle.
2018 vintage. Etalon Rouge is a tiny 1,46 hectares vineyard (1,26 ha red with 100% Cabernet sauvignon and 0,20 ha white with 100% Sauvignon blanc) situated in the Blaye appellation, but sold as Bordeaux AOC. One of the best kept secrets in Bordeaux, the estate was owned by Gérard Depardieu and Bernard Magrez, followed by painter Thierry Bisch, and today by a group of 10 wine lovers worldwide. Maître de chai these days is Clarissa Schaefer, who is also a very talented painter. With her husband Leslie she owns the wine bar/shop La Petite Cave in Blaye, a must-visit if you are in the region, but they ship worldwide too. The wines of Etalon Rouge are fabulous and are sold on allocation only. The tiny cellar in the centre of Blaye is well worth a visit. This 2018 white is a terrific example of the potential greatness of perfectly ripe Sauvignon blanc in Bordeaux. Aged in French oak with stirring of the lees. Complex nose with white stone fruit (mirabelle, peach), ripe pear, a distinctive minerality and a hint of fresh rosemary. Concentrated and profound with enough acidity to balance the richness and alcohol (abv. 14,5%) in this warm vintage. The oak is hardly noticeable and the mineral finish is impressively long. Take your time to let it warm up to 14 degrees Celsius to capture all the complexity of this beauty. If you are lucky enough to find a bottle.
Dec 22nd, 2020