2012 Chateau Tour Leognan Blanc, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux

There are a few axioms in life: the sun will always rise; time flies when you're having fun; and warm weather brings Sauvignon Blanc season.
    Sauvignon Blanc can certainly be enjoyed throughout the year; however, blooming flowers and warm weather signal the upcoming demand for the refreshing, lemon, lime minerality of Sauvignon Blanc more than any other time of year.
    Sauvignon Blanc may be most popular in Sancerre and California. From the chalky soil of the former (producing a lighter, flinty white), to the warm climate of the latter (producing more ripe fruit and melon flavors), the underlying Sauvignon Blanc characteristics remain the same. Yet no place on earth reproduces Sauvignon Blanc like Bordeaux, France. There, the wines are mostly Sauvignon Blanc with a bit of Semillon, which rounds out the wine and softens the tart edges of the Sauvignon Blanc grape.
    An outstanding white Bordeaux that we recently enjoyed is the 2012 Chateau Tour Leognan Blanc. With five years of bottle age, it is beautiful, lively, vibrant and still has a youthful core.
    Chateau Tour Leognan is the 2nd wine of Chateau Carbonnieux and produced from the younger vines of that Chateau. Employing biodynamic farming and no chemical influence, the grapes thrive on their own producing pure notes of citrus, kiwi, white flower and white almond. Lemon, lime notes are present but very subtle. The Semillon adds texture and body and anchors the mineral-driven elements of the wine.
    Depending on what part of the country you live in, Sauvignon Blanc season is in full effect - or is about to be. Definitely enjoy this wine now, but feel free to age for another five years. Pair with seafood, white meat, goat cheese and citrus desserts.