Bettane & Desseauve 90 / 100 by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017 Joli nez de brioche, agrumes, fleurs blanches et genêt, bouche chaleureuse, opulente, avec du fruit, de la chair et une bonne nervosité en finale. Un blanc dense, flatteur et vif.
Wine Advocate 86-88 / 100 byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017 The 2016 Brown Blanc has an uncomplicated bouquet with lime, green apple and light beeswax aromas, although like many dry white Bordeaux this year, it calls out for more freshness and precision. The palate is actually better than the aromatics with bitter lemon, touches of guava and pineapple. This is richer than the 2015, but the lower acidity means that it will be best consumed in the first four or five years.
Wine Spectator 90-93 / 100 byJames Molesworththe4/28/2017 Lemon peel and salted butter notes give this some zip, while the core of yellow apple, fennel and melon rind flavors has good weight. Well done.—J.M.
Jean-Marc QUARIN 14,5 / 20 byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/28/2017 Nez fruité et très agréable. Bouche tendre et un peu discrète. Longueur moyenne.
Decanter.com 90 / 100 byJane Ansonthe4/25/2017 Alcohol levels are hovering fairly high for the whites as well as the reds. This is a rich and sexy take on the vintage, and my guess would be that owner Jean Christophe Mau figures he has an early-ripening location (close to the city on gravel soils but over clay that retained rainfall well in the heat of the 2016 summer); and that he should work with it. A smart decision, as this is certainly contemporary but captures rich citrus fruits with fragrant white blossom on the mid-palate and some juicy mouthwatering minerality on the finish. I like it - Mau's made a virtue out of what could have been tough on the whites in this vintage. 69% Sauvignon Blanc, 31% Sémillon. Vinified and aged in barrel with 50% new oak and regular stirring of the lees. Drinking Window 2018 - 2030
matthewjukes.com 17 / 20 byMatthew Jukesthe4/25/2017 (70 Sauvignon Blanc, 30 Semillon) Very nice tension here underpins the lime juice notes and also the lemongrass details. This is a nice wine and it brings a little more complexity and Asian spice to the table. 17
Jamessuckling.com 92-93 / 100 byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2017 Some pretty depth of fruit to this wine with lemon and slice-green-apple undertones. Stones, too. Medium to full body and a vivid finish. Better than the 2015?