Lune d'Argent 2017

After fermentation in 500-liter cement tanks, stainless steel vats and barrels, a portion of the 2017 Lune d'Argent was aged in 15% new French oak barrels. The wine was aged on its lees with regular bâtonnages during the six-month aging regimen. The blend is 70% Sémillon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc. It opens with lemonade, spiced apples, lime cordial, fresh grass and grapefruit scents plus wafts of wet pebbles and honeysuckle. Medium-bodied, clean and refreshing, it finishes on a lingering citrusy note.

A relatively new project from dry white Bordeaux superstar Olivier Bernard of Domaine de Chevalier, Clos des Lunes started as a 67-acre vineyard, was purchased in 2011 and has now grown to nearly 150 acres. The Lune d’Or cuvee is a selection of the best vines and barrels, with the average age of these vines being 45 years old. Although this is a dry white, the vineyard is in located in the heart of Sauternes, not far from d’Yquem and Guiraud. This 2017 was fermented in French oak barrels, 25% new, and aged for 18 months with lees stirring.