Wine review of 2017 Henri Bourgeois ‘Petit Bourgeois’ Sauvignon Blanc white, Vin de France from Chavignol in Loire
Score: 89/100 pts
Although labeled as ‘Vin de France’, this Sauvignon Blanc by famous Sancerre and Puilly-Fumé producer Henri Bourgeois is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes from the Loire region in central France.
The wine was fermented exclusively in stainless steel tanks before a 3-month ageing on lees, also in tanks (no oak barrels) to round up and smoothen its profile.
Overall Tasting Impression
A light-in-body Sauvignon Blanc, dry and very crisp that features a salivating and zingy acidity. It’s light body and very controlled overall balance make it a wine that is very easy to sip and enjoy without complications.
Yet, Petit Bourgeois has all the characteristics of a pungent, slightly grassy and generously tropical character we love in a very well executed Sauvignon Blanc.
In a few words, this is the ‘French version of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc”.
The best of both worlds perhaps: generous and pungent, yet not too grassy and coming with a sense of restraint, and a very lean palate sensation.
Full Tasting Notes
This Loire Sauvignon Blanc comes in a bright and shiny lemon-yellow color, slightly pale and with touches of green hues. Somewhat typical of a dry Sauvignon Blanc style in appearance.
The nose is also somewhat typical of a Sauvignon Blanc wine, but clearly more pungent and more tropical than the average aromatic profile for a French Sauvignon.
It’s pungently tropical, with a clearly dominant passion fruit note. Pear, pineapple, grapefruit and ripe lemon come along the ripe passion fruit character, for an overall tempting and bursting with intensity nose.
The palate is very dry, featuring a crisp and mineral, citrusy acidity. The medium body just balances out the zingy palate feel. The rich and ripe citrusy flavors of lemon and pink grapefruit though, make for a luscious fruity impression.
Some phenolics add a touch of green bitterness to the finish, like biting into a fresh lime.
Enjoy 🙂
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