Château d’Yquem 2013 Y Ygrec Bordeaux Blanc

When we think of Bordeaux, we think in red. The region’s reputation, after all, rests on its richly rubicund wines: The much-vaunted Bordeaux Wine Official Classification conducted for the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris focused almost exclusively on wines blended primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The only white wines graded for quality […]

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Photo by Cordero Studios/corderostudios.com

When we think of Bordeaux, we think in red. The region’s reputation, after all, rests on its richly rubicund wines: The much-vaunted Bordeaux Wine Official Classification conducted for the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris focused almost exclusively on wines blended primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The only white wines graded for quality during this arduous process came from Sauternes and Barsac, and the first among these was Château d’Yquem—the only Sauternes to be classified as premier cru supérieur. Though the ethereal dessert wines from this fabled estate command prices at auction to rival those of the best vineyards from Médoc or Pomerol, the château’s white table wine is equally opulent, if less sweet. The Château d’Yquem 2013 Y Ygrec Bordeaux Blanc ($140, yquem.fr) is perfect to pour on a summer afternoon, its tropical notes of mango and pineapple flirting delightfully with flavors of tangelo, ripe peach, honeycomb, and custard.