2022 Château Les Charmes-Godard Blanc, Francs Côtes de Bordeaux Blanc

Love this unusual white wine with its majority Sémillon grape, gives a rich and unusually suclputed shape to the white pear, peach and green apple fruits. Fermented and aged in 500l barrels with just a small amount of new oak. Gastronomic, good for ageing, a little fat through the mid palate compared to usual shows a nod to the vintage, but the bitter almond edge keeps things focused on the finish. 34hl/h yield. Nicolas Thienpont winemaker.

The 2022 Château Les Charmes-Godard Blanc is a more Sémillon-dominated release and is 60% Sémillon, 27% Sauvignon Blanc, and 3% Sauvignon Gris. It has a pure, crisp bouquet of ripe melon, honeyed pineapple, crushed stone, and hints of flowers. This pure, medium-bodied, balanced, and textured white is geared for the dinner table, and while I don't have any experience with how this cuvée ages, I suspect it will drink nicely for 2-5 years. It's a gorgeous white.

A Sémillon-dominant blend (60%) complemented with 27% Sauvignon blanc and 13% Sauvignon Gris, the 2022 Les Charmes-Godard Blanc derives from vineyards on clay-limestone slopes. Aromas of peach, pear, anise, mint and spring flowers preface a medium to full-bodied, satiny and vibrant palate.

The 2022 Les Charmes Godard Blanc is laced with orchard fruit, jasmine and a touch of French oak that grace the finish. The 2022 has just been bottled, so it is not quite as expressive as it can be in the very early going.