Xavier Milhade Wines
Château Recougne Blanc 2020
Bordeaux Blanc
The white wine from Château Recougne is one of the hidden gems in the Milhade family portfolio. The soils and climatic conditions in Bordeaux’s ‘Right Bank’ are generally best suited to red grapes, and it is the rare exception to find a vineyard suitable for the production of white wine. Within the large Recougne Estate vineyard, the Milhades discovered a 10Ha parcel with deep clay-limestone soil over and iron-rich clay pan – a perfect setting for Sauvignon Blanc. From this parcel they produce a delightful Bordeaux Blanc, offering the typical zest and snap which makes these wines so perfectly suitable for oysters and seafood of all kinds.
Vineyard
The Milhade family has been landowners in Bordeaux for three generations and currently own six properties in the right bank regions of Saint-Emilion, Lussac- Saint-Emilion, Lalande-de-Pomerol, and Bordeaux Supérieur. Their wines represent both amazing value in Bordeaux and the beautiful results that can be achieved by small family estates focused on producing high quality wines. The wines are marked by wonderful, expressive fruit and retain an authenticity and soulfulness.
Winemaking
The grapes are harvest in the early morning to keep temperatures low, and are then destemmed and crushed. The must is given 12 hours of skin contact before pressing. Fermentation then takes place in stainless steel at low temperature. Malolactic is blocked. The wine is aged 3-4 months in stainless steel on the fine less before bottling in January following the vintage.
VINTAGE
2020 was another generally hot year in Bordeaux, but temperature fluctuations and the threat of mildew caused uneven ripening in some areas. Occasional rainfall through the summer ameliorated the drought and kept the vines fresh, however, and there was less of the heat stress that characterized 2019. A warm September in the Right Bank evened out the ripening there, and the Merlot was a particular and consistent success, producing rich, characterful wines with great structure and freshness. The white wines are full and rich as well, with fresh acidities as most were harvested in August before the September heat kicked in. A balanced and characterful vintage, 2020 offers flavorful and fully ripe wines with depth, length, and expressive aromatics.
Tasting Note
This blend of Sauvignon, Sémillon and Sauvignon Gris has a beautiful shiny gold color. Intense flavors characterized by floral notes, lemon, grapefruit and other citrus fruits as well as green apple.
Color
White
Grape Varieties
Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Semillon
Appellation
Bordeaux Blanc
Alcohol
13%
Suggested Retail Price
$13
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Château des Ormeaux Lalande-de-Pomerol
Lalande-de-Pomerol
Nestled under the stewardship of Julien Richard, a dedicated third-generation winemaker and the husband of Elodie Milhade (also the proprietor of Château Tour Bayard), this estate flourishes with a commitment to sustainability.
Château Recougne
Bordeaux Superieur
Chateau Recougne has produced wine for more than 400 years,and has been recognized for nearly as long for producing outstanding wine - its name is said to have come from King Henri IV in the early 17th century, in “recognition” of the quality of its wine. This wine offers pure Bordeaux unadulterated and pure.
Château Boutisse
Purchased in 1996, the Milhade family have invested enormously in the vineyards and facilities at Boutisse and, above all, with their energy. Today Boutisse is no longer a surprise - dynamic young winemaker Marc Milhade has transformed this estate into an outstanding Saint-Emilion, with ripe, structured and engaging character.
Château Montcabrier
Château Montcabrier is a selection parcèllaire from the Milhade family’s estate, Château Recougne. This property has produced wine for more than 400 years, and has been recognized for nearly as long for producing outstanding wine - its name is said to have come from King Henri IV in the early 17th century, in “recognition” of the quality of its wine. The Milhade family purchased the property in the early 1950s, and Recougne has become their flagship estate, producing quintessential pure Bordeaux each vintage – classic “claret” in the best sense of the word. Montcabrier is a produced in the same manner as Recougne, but from younger vines and parcels giving more forward, fruity wines
Château Tour Bayard
Château Tour Bayard is a recent addition to the Milhade portfolio, coming into the family through marriage. This 25 acre property has been run by the Richard family since 1956, and is now regarded as one of the top estates in the appellation.
