Chateau Hostens-Picant Grangeneuve Bordeaux Blanc / 2023 / 750mL

The Château Hostens-Picant Grangeneuve Bordeaux Blanc 2023 is a dry white from Bordeaux built on citrus brightness and a little waxy weight through the middle. It is fresh and savoury rather than tropical, the kind of white that works as well at the table as it does on its own.

Grapefruit pith, lemon zest and white flowers lead the aromatics, with a faint brush of crushed stone and fennel seed behind them. Air brings out something closer to quince and nectarine skin.

The palate is dry and clean-lined, with acidity running straight through the centre and a gentle textural grip across the finish. There is enough flesh here to stop it feeling austere, and the close is long, slightly salty and dry rather than fruity.

Oysters and whole flounder are the obvious calls, but this Bordeaux Blanc also handles goat's cheese, chicken terrine, scallops with brown butter, or a salad of fennel, orange and olives. Serve it around 10 degrees so the texture has room to show.

Drinking well now and through to roughly 2028, with the fruit likely to soften and the wine take on more honeyed, nutty character over the back half of that window.