Clos Floridene, AOC/AOP Graves Controlee, Grand Vin de Graves, Bordeaux, France, 2012
A 31 ha estate on a plateau to the south and away from the Garonne, near Barsac, about 20m above sea level, with red clayey sands over limestone bedrock. Owned and operated by Denis Doubourdieu, international wine consultant, wine maker and Professor of Oenology at the University of Bordeaux.
A blend of 50% sauvignon blanc, 47% semillon and 3% muscadelle. Manual harvesting, light crushing with skin contact, then gentle pressing. Free run juice is separated and clarified by naturally settling. Fermentation is in barrels, 25% new, with ageing in barrel for 8 months with lees stirring.
Natural cork closure, 13% abv, £20, The Co-op.
WSET style tasting note
Appearance – clear and bright, pale intensity lemon, showing distinct tears.
Nose – clean on the nose, with a pronounced intensity, youthful, with aromas of ripe melon, dessert apple, unripe apricot and hints of coconut and warm cut grass.
Palate – a dry wine, medium (+) acidity, a slight gummy grip, medium (+) alcohol, medium (+) body, medium (+) intensity flavours of green apple, melon and stone fruit – white nectarine, with grapefruit on the finish. A long length with a clean slightly grippy finish.
Quality – a very good quality wine, with balanced acidity to alcohol, which are in harmony with the intensity of flavour. A good concentration of a moderately complex range of interesting flavours, with a very long length and a clean slightly gummy finish. A wine which has acidity and flavour intensity to evolve for a further 2-3 years.
