Bordeaux Blanc, 2019. Sirius

There are few names in the wine business that can be considered royalty. Most of them are known to wine aficionados like Rothschild, Mondavi and Moueix. But there are others whose contributions to the world of wine are just as impactful, but aren't household wine names. One of them is Sichel, owners of Sirius. The Sichel legacy began in 1865 when Hermann Sichel began his wine business in Germany. Within a short time, he expanded to France and particularly in Bordeaux. His predecessors now boast over a dozen properties in Bordeaux including the prestigious Angludet and Palmer along with properties in the Cotes de Gascogne, Provence and Israel.

Sirius is a project started by Peter A. Sichel in 1985 to take advantage of the many small, independent growers who were producing incredible grapes. It is named after the brightest star in the night sky, which seems a fitting moniker. Unlike most white Bordeaux producers, Sirius blends equal amounts of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. They pick the Semillon late so that the lush, blousy flavors of peach, fig and apricot shine through. The Sauvignon Blanc is picked a little earlier, supplying the acid backbone and stunning grip in the finish.

A brief three months in a barrel rounds out all the complex flavors and adds swashes of tropical fruit and Asian pear. This perfect panoply on your palate embraces every pore with every pour and begs for lobster thermidor with fresh peas or a seared salmon with a light honey glaze and roasted almonds.

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