In the glass
Aroma: pomelo, citrus zest, tropical fruit, white flowers, fresh herbs
Palate: vivid attack, plum and citrus, textured, expressive, clean finish
An unusual Bordeaux Blanc built on Sauvignon Gris rather than Semillon, giving tropical and citrus character with a rich, textured palate. Only 5,600 bottles produced annually; fermented mostly in stainless steel to preserve freshness.
What it pairs with
-
Grilled sea bass with lemon butter
Sauvignon Blanc acidity cuts through butter; citrus aromas amplify the lemon. -
Goats cheese and herb tart
The wine's herbal freshness and acidity lift the creaminess of the cheese. -
Moules mariniere
Crisp, citrus-forward white with natural acidity is a classic pairing with mussels in white wine.
How to serve Le Blanc de Chateau de la Riviere
Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
- Serve at 8-10°C. Cellar temperature (8-10°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a smaller all-purpose white glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Grilled sea bass with lemon butter, Goats cheese and herb tart, Moules mariniere. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
The white wine of Chateau de la Riviere was introduced as a modern expression of Bordeaux Blanc, unusually dominated by Sauvignon Gris alongside Sauvignon Blanc. Production is deliberately limited to 5,600 bottles to ensure quality from the single plot.
- 2010 — First vintage of Blanc de la Riviere produced using Sauvignon Gris-dominant blend
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau de la Riviere
- Grapes
- Sauvignon Blanc (66%), Sauvignon Gris (34%)
- Classification
- Bordeaux AOC
- Oak
- 10% in new oak barrels; 90% stainless steel on lees for 4 months
- ABV
- 12.5%
- Production
- 5,600 bottles
- Price
- €18-28 at retail
- Drinking window
- 1-4 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2010
Frequently asked about Le Blanc de Chateau de la Riviere
What does Le Blanc de Chateau de la Riviere taste like?
On the nose, pomelo, citrus zest, tropical fruit, white flowers, fresh herbs. On the palate, vivid attack, plum and citrus, textured, expressive, clean finish. Structurally medium-bodied, high acidity with a medium finish. An unusual Bordeaux Blanc built on Sauvignon Gris rather than Semillon, giving tropical and citrus character with a rich, textured palate. Only 5,600 bottles produced annually; fermented mostly in stainless steel to preserve freshness.
When should I drink Le Blanc de Chateau de la Riviere?
Drink 1-4 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Le Blanc de Chateau de la Riviere?
Grilled sea bass with lemon butter is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Goats cheese and herb tart and Moules mariniere. Sauvignon Blanc acidity cuts through butter; citrus aromas amplify the lemon.
What grapes are in Le Blanc de Chateau de la Riviere?
The blend is Sauvignon Blanc (66%), Sauvignon Gris (34%). The wine is classified as Bordeaux AOC.