Château des Antonins, Bordeaux Blanc 2024

The shape of white Bordeaux such as this comes from the small proportion of Semillon in the blend, which rounds off the sharper edges of the Sauvignon Blanc and adds a bit of texture and weight. It’s still very much Sauvignon – grapefruit, citrus and a touch of exotic fruit – but with a slightly more mouth-filling feel. Unoaked, it’s fresh and clean, with the extra breadth coming from the Semillon influence and time spent on lees.

Easy to drink on its own, but also works well with things like grilled salmon, trout or other meaty, oily fish – where the citrus, exotic fruit and gentle weight match the richness without feeling sharp.

Château des Antonins derives its name from the Antonine monks who lived there for centuries, with some of the original 13th-century buildings still standing on the estate. The current owners, the de Roquefeuil family, took over in 1985 and have since transitioned the estate to sustainable practices. Most of their vineyards are planted with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, producing some excellent reds. They also have a few hectares of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, which go into their good value whites that deserve equal billing to the reds.