Les Champs Libres 2019 (750ML)

95 WA / 95 DE / 95 JS / 94 VM / 94 JD

The Les Champs Libres 2019 Blanc wafts from the glass with notes of lime blossom, citrus zest, wet stones and pastry cream. Medium to full-bodied, taut and incisive, it's chalky and concentrated, with racy acids, lovely structuring dry extract and a long, mineral finish. It's produced from Sancerrois massal selections of Sauvignon Blanc (and now a tiny percentage of Sémillon, too) planted on deep clay soils on the slopes at Grand Village, the Guinaudeau family having sagely concluded that clay is as essential to a great white wine as limestone. Like many of this family's wines, it makes a mockery of Bordeaux's traditional hierarchy. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

This has tons of flesh and depth through the mid palate. There is real substance here, translating into muscles rather than weight, and minerality in its slate texture. One barrel of Sémillon, and 100% Sancerre genetics for the Sauvignon Blanc, vinified 100% in new oak, partly Burgundy barrels and partly larger sized oak casks. From the same limestone plot as Les Perrières. Drinking Window 2021 - 2034 - Jane Anson, Decanter

This is very intense and powerful with dried apple, pear and aniseed. Crushed stone, too. Full-bodied and rather chewy with phenolics and intensity. A real sense of soil and depth. Draws you down. Fantastic finish. 95% sauvignon blanc (95% Sancerre clone), and 5% semillon. Tiny production. Drinkable now, but better in two or three years. - James Suckling

The 2019 Champs Libres is absolutely compelling. Creamy and textured, the 2019 opens beautifully to reveal hints of lemon confit, almond, dried flowers and a touch of oak. I especially admire the way the Champs Libres is deep and textured, but not at all heavy. What a gorgeous wine it is. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

From the Guinaudeau family of Château Lafleur in Pomerol, the 2019 Guinaudeau Vignerons Les Champs Libres Blanc is all Sauvignon raised in new barrels. It's another remarkable white from this team that brings richness and depth as well as freshness, balance, and elegance. Caramelized grapefruits, orange blossom, chalky mineral, and white flowers, as well as hints of green almond, all emerge from this beauty and it's medium-bodied, has good concentration, and racy acidity. It's going to benefit from a year or three of bottle age and evolve gracefully for over a decade. - Jeb Dunnuck