At a glance

Producer

Château de Chantegrive

Region

Graves, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc

Wine type

White

Body

Light-bodied and Crisp

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$28-$40 USD per 750ml bottle

Tasting profile

Ripe citrus, stone fruit, subtle oak, floral hints, nutty complexity, gentle minerality. Acidity present but softening.

Evolution: Fading primary fruit, increased honeyed and nutty notes, gentle oxidative complexity, possible lanolin from Sémillon.

At peak: Best around 2020-2022. By 2024, wine is mature and secondary characteristics predominate over fruit.

Structure

Acidity

Medium to elevated, providing freshness in youth; falling slightly with age

Tannins

None (white Bordeaux blend with little to no tannic structure)

Alcohol

Moderate (typically 13-13.5%)

Aging potential

6-8 years from vintage under ideal storage

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2024 to 2042

Optimal window

2021 to 2045

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

2016 is mature and should be consumed soon for best freshness; further aging may diminish brightness

White Bordeaux with some oak aging reaches its optimal balance of freshness and complexity within 6-8 years. By 2024, the 2016 vintage is at the end of this window, with further aging risking loss of vibrancy.

Food pairing

Shellfish, grilled white fish, roasted poultry with light cream sauce, light cheeses, asparagus risotto, crab, or sushi.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Château de Chantegrive employs sustainable vineyard management, cover crops to prevent erosion, limited use of chemicals (favoring mechanical weeding), and ecosystem conservation. Energy and water use reduction initiatives are underway at the estate. Packaging is standard Bordeaux glass with recyclable labels/corks.

Château de Chantegrive demonstrates above-average sustainability with HVE3 certification, sustainable farming, and environmental stewardship. Not fully organic/biodynamic, and exported bottles have notable transportation emissions, but overall commitments to reduced inputs, biodiversity, and responsible practices contribute positively to sustainability profile.