Bordeaux Blanc, 2020. Chateau de Parenchere

Bordeaux is unquestionably the most famous and successful wine region in the world. However, it wasn't always wine and roses. Take the case of our selection, Parenchere. The estate was founded in 1570 and flourished for nearly 400 years.

In 1956 a frost wiped out the entire vineyard. As a result, the owners had to sell the land for a fraction of its worth. Today, they could have saved the vineyard with many of the options open to them. Raphael Gazaniol, a second generation winemaker from South Africa, purchased the property, replanted and expanded the vineyards from 225 acres to 350. He sold it in 2005 to Per Landin, a Swedish wine lover, who expanded the estate to 425 acres and whose family continues to run it today. With that kind of history, how could you not love this property? Of course, things have changed dramatically as Bordeaux's success has given most producers the means to handle any curve Mother Nature throws at them.

The chateau is located in the Entre-Deux-Mers appellation, the most dramatically improved appellation in Bordeaux. For centuries it produced sound, reasonable wines that were good, but not great. Producers like Landin and before him, Gazanoil, are responsible for the renaissance of this region. Today, the quality is superb, just as our selection demonstrates. The blend here is fairly standard at 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Semillon, and 15% Muscadelle. The wine offers a classic rendition sporting lovely peach and fig components to accent the minerality that would splendidly relate to veal Oscar or clams casino.

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