2016 Domaine de Chevalier Clos des Lune Petite Lune Bordeaux Blanc 750 ml

The Crisp Value French White for Your Vacation Weekend

“Wake up world, here’s a dry white Bordeaux that is enormously refreshing and stunning value for money,” raved James Suckling. Crafted by the same technical team as Domaine de Chevalier but going for under-$20 a bottle, this is the kind of breezy but brilliantly made white that flies off the shelves this time of year. But we’re giving you the first shot—this offer is a Wine Access exclusive, imported by us to secure the allocation. If you’re heading to a beach or lake house for the weekend with a crowd, case buys don’t get more enticing than this.

In essence, the Clos des Lunes Petite Lune is perfect value white Bordeaux of the summer. Fragrant with juicy green apple, clean white flowers, and mouthwatering ripe peach, this is a zingy, richly textured effort from two Bordeaux masters, Olivier Bernard of Domaine de Chevalier and Stéphane Derenoncourt, the sage of Saint-Émilion.

Should you ever find yourself in Bordeaux needing a beach break, you’d be crazy not to head to the romantic seaside village of Arcachon, famed for its oysters. That was our thinking anyway after a long, unseasonably warm week of meeting with producers; the town’s white sands, airy, chateau-style hotels, and plates of plump huîtres were calling our name. On arriving we made a beeline for Le Royal Moulleau to meet a friend and take in the scenic coastline view. The bottle we’re selling today was open already on the table when we arrived—just the thing for the day’s catch, our friend insisted. Round and smooth in texture, but with wonderful tension, shot through with white peach, lemon, and flowers, we couldn’t disagree: it was an inspired pairing for the town’s iconic oysters, and a wine we knew we had to bring back to the States.

This is the kind of bottle that Napa Valley’s Sauvignon Blanc producers wish they could make for this price. The Semillon contributes the richness and texture of the body, while the Sauvignon Blanc supplies the vibrant acidity and fresh-cut grass and citrus notes. Olivier Bernard, bringing the technical savvy of his team at Domaine de Chevalier, and Stéphane Derenoncourt apply the same gentle, protective techniques used at Bernard’s Pessac Grand Cru property, employing an unoaked style that preserves freshness and intensity.

Load a case in the back of the car and know your vacation drinking is in good hands.