Chateau Hostens-Picant 2019 Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux 'Cuvee des Demoiselles'

"A full yet brilliant green-gold to the eye, this charming Ste-Foy blanc bursts from the glass with aromas of tarragon, elderflower, fresh yellow peach, and crushed stones. Indeed, this mineral note seems to be both the ‘core’ and the ‘wrapping’ to the aromatic profile; everything is bound by it and lodestone like it also leads one back to the centre. Faint touches of quince, dried honey, and mango add complexity. None of this prepares the imbiber for the palate, which is creamy and silken on opening before it positively explodes with coiled energy, bright acidity, and fine crushed-stone minerality. The finish: long and elegantly creamy, with a savoury close; framed by gently tugging phenolics and savoury nuances. I would give a run down of precise flavours but I keep finishing my glass based on the palate presence alone. Concentrating, one can expect further elderflower, mango, and peach; citrus peels; dabs of anise and stem ginger; and plenty of stone! The white equivalent of saying: old school claret. Approach with caution, or turbot. Very fine." — David