Wine of the week: Les Hauts de Lagarde Blanc 2020

The Les Hauts de Lagarde Blanc is French white Bordeaux that is both affordable and tastes like a French white Bordeaux

Call it serendipity or luck or whatever. But in the midst of the pandemic and the tariff and limited availability and sky-high prices for French wine just because, I somehow found the Les Hauts de Lagarde Blanc. Which, depending on where you live, could cost as little as $12.

Which, frankly, means it’s time to buy a case.

I paid a little more for the Les Hauts de Lagarde Blanc 2020 ($14, purchased, 12%), but it was still worth it. If nothing else, how often do we find quality white Bordeaux that hasn’t been Chateau Bonnet-ed – jacked up in price until it’s worth more than it’s worth?

The Lagarde Blanc is still quite young, so the 40 percent semillon in the blend (with 60 percent sauvignon blanc) hasn’t quite fleshed out the mouthfeel. Hence, there’s probably a little more citrus (almost grapefruit?) than there will be later in the year. Plus, it’s not as stony as it could be.

But it’s fresh and delicious and well-made and affordable, all things that have been in short supply for wines at this price – and especially from France – for much too long.

Highly recommended. Chill this and drink it on its own, or pair it with grilled chicken marinated in garlic, herbs, and lemon juice. ( (And, for those of you who nag me about this, there’s a rumor it’s at some Total Wines in some parts of the country).

Imported by Natural Merchants