2020 Couhins Blanc, Pessac-Léognan

Freshly shelled peas on the nose with green apple aromas. Zingy and full of life straight away, vibrant yet so well controlled. A beautiful glass of wine with excellent acidity, weight and texture. It has a lovely salty, iodine tang to the lemon, lime, orange rind, pineapple, grapefruit pith and green apple. Thrilling and vibrant but clean and crisp. So well worked, focused so give this a year or two for it to settle and expand but this is a great white from 2020. A wine to buy, and more importantly drink and enjoy. (GH)

This gem hit my radar when I saw chart-topping press paired with an all-too-modest price point—and I had to see what it was all about. Mostly Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of Sauvignon Gris, it brings the kind of character I adore in Bordeaux Blanc: freshness, texture, and concentration without ever feeling heavy. I couldn’t help but think of Domaine de Chevalier Blanc (my gold standard!) when I tasted this—though perhaps with a bit more Sauvignon Blanc character and drive. With only a few thousand cases made, Couhins is one to grab while it’s available—perfect for lovers of Bordeaux Blanc or anyone curious to discover what the magic is all about. The 2020 vintage displays impeccable balance and aromatics, leading with notes of wet stone, white flowers, and key lime. On the palate, it is fresh, bright, and textured, with flavors of white peach and kiwi, and a long, mineral, saline finish as the delicious fruit lingers. A top-tier, youthful Bordeaux Blanc, this is a superb, not-to-be-missed expression.