Wine of the week: Chateau Fage Blanc 2021

This French white Bordeaux is cheap wine of the finest caliber

The best thing to know about this white Bordeaux blend, which is as well-made a cheap wine of this style that I’ve tasted in years? It’s widely available.

Yep – 25 retailers listed in the free version of Wine-Searcher (and 150 listed in the paid). In other words, it’s buy a case time.

So how about the rest of the good stuff for the Château Fage Blanc 2021 ($12, purchased, 12.5%)? Because it does things at this price that don’t happen much any more.

• It’s a blend of 40 percent sauvignon blanc and 60 percent semillon; typically, these wines have mostly sauvignon blanc with a bit of semillon.

• Even so, it’s fresh and crisp, But it’s not a one-note, New Zealand style sauvignon blanc, which is – again – typical of these wines at this price.

• The semillion adds body and lift, balancing the crispness of the sauvignon blanc. That means some citrus, but also an almost floral, tropical middle from the semillion.

Highly recommended, and a candidate for Hall of Fame and the 2024 Turner award as cheap wine of the year.

Imported by Monsieur Touton Selection