This Thirsty Thursday uncorks an accident.  I had ordered Château de Rochemorin’s 2006 Red full of excitement.  Famed André Lurton owns it.  Baron de Montesquieu -inspiration to America’s Constitution- lived and made wine here in Pessac-Léognan (a Graves sub-region that weaves into Bordeaux’s suburbs).

2006 was a challenging year for reds, leading to powerful, cellar-needy, tannic, austere wines.  The problem?  This 2006 is white.

Now some whites are age-worthy and become amazingly expansive in years, even decades on.  But is Rochemorin’s?  It is 100% Sauvignon Blanc: that acidity may preserve it.  Let’s see.

Appearance: It looks a clear, brilliant, medium intense golden color full of metallic shimmer (but all green is gone).

Aromas: Ebullient, warm aromas of shaved coconut, honey, pear, almond shavings, and pineapple dominate.  However, remnants of Sauvignon Blanc’s lemon peel and cut grass hang out.

Palate: It is dry. Once-bright acids have mellowed into a soft pillow of white pith, the body is medium, the texture now feels silken but still a touch prickly

Flavors: It still tastes immensely complex.  Mellow white pear and pineapple form the core, framed by an waves of nuts, anise, and salt, finishing with a whiff of reedy lemon grass cooked in coconut milk. A slow, fino sherry-like oxidation has turned this into something more akin to Vin Jaune: now spiced but still bright.

Conclusions: The sun is setting on Château de Rochemorin’s 2006 Pessac-Léognan blanc. It is still very, very good wine (4 of 5). Some French won’t touch a Bordeaux blanc until years out and I can see why.  Just be ready for something different.  And pair it with simply prepared salads, roast chicken with shaved almonds, artichokes, anything with a bit of butter will brighten this up.