Clos des Lunes "Lune d'Or" 2018

Wine Advocate-Parker :
This is a relatively recent project from Olivier Bernard of Domaine de Chevalier. In 2011, Bernard purchased this 27-hectare vineyard planted at 6,600 vines per hectare. It has since grown to 60 hectares. The average age of the vines used for this cuvée is 45 years old. The soils are clay-coated gravel atop a subsoil that mixes clay and limestone. The wine fermented and aged in barrel--including 35% new oak--for 18 months with regular bâtonnage during the first nine months of the aging regimen. The blend is 70% Sémillon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc, and it has 13.5% alcohol. The 2018 Lune d'Or, from the lieu-dit Caplane near the town of Sauternes, strides boldly out of the glass with gregarious tropical fruit notes of fresh pineapples and green mango with hints of honeycomb, ripe peaches and allspice. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating exotic fruits and plenty of freshness, finishing with great length.