Château Millet Graves Blanc Bordaux '23

Michel and Isabelle Dietrich bought Château Haut-Rian in 1988, and both come from winemaking families, his from Alsace and hers from Champagne. Their daughter, Pauline Lapierre, joined them in 2017. Their property is located in the small village of Rions, 18 miles southeast of the city of Bordeaux. The vineyards are spread over 85 hectares, including parts of Premières Côtes de Bordeaux and Entre-Deux-Mers, bordering the village of Cadillac and near the Garonne River. They also have 20 hectares in the village of Soulignac, and these are home to the main plots for their white grapes, Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. All of the vineyards are on gentle slopes facing south and southeast, and the topsoil consists of loose pebbles over limestone.

The Haut-Rian Bordeaux Blanc is made from 35-year-old vines rooted in clay-loam soil, located in the village of Soulignac, in the heart of Entre-Deux-Mers. It is a blend of 60% Sémillon and 40% Sauvignon Blanc, with the fresh fruity characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc balancing the richness of Sémillon. The grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks, and the wine is bottled after four months of aging on the lees.

Bright and citrusy, with notes of lemon oil, grapefruit, minerality, and herbs. The Sémillon gives this wine some richness in the midpalate, with the Sauvignon Blanc contributing that punch of acidity. Great on its own, it also can work with oysters or skate wing.