During the 1980s and early 1990s, I bought many white Graves wines. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, white Graves wines drink well young and age beautifully over 15 to 20 years or more. A few are very expensive so I was surprised to encounter this $8.99 bargain at my local Trader Joe's. Although it clearly doesn't compete with a $160 Pape Clement Graves, it is a good wine for the price. It was aged on its lees (spent yeast cells) with 100% new oak but does not smell or taste as oaky as most Napa Sauvignon Blancs I have tried.
Light and bright color. Nice aromas learning toward grapefruit and passion fruit with a hint of Spring flowers. That's the Sauvignon speaking. In the mouth, Semillon makes its statement. Full, rich texture, medium body. Roasted figs, legumes, nuts. With a few years in the bottle, I think the Sauvignon and Semillon profiles will blend, creating more savory smells and flavors. I doubt, though, that it will age as beautifully as the bottles of 1983 Fieuzel I drank a few years ago.
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