White Médoc: 6 vintages marking the birth of a new appellation
Published in the Official Journal on August 5, 2025, the Médoc Blanc appellation was established with the 2025 vintage. We tasted the first bottles released under this new appellation, which combines a tradition spanning more than three centuries with strict production guidelines.
Since this spring, wine lovers have been discovering a new appellation—Médoc Blanc—on the shelves of wine shops and on restaurant wine lists. Officially recognized in the Journal Officiel on August 5, 2025, the appellation was launched with the 2025 vintage, and we have tasted the first bottles to hit the market.
At a time when white wines are enjoying growing popularity and consumption continues to rise, Médoc winemakers have always worked to preserve a winemaking tradition dating back more than three centuries. Even without a decree, Médoc white wine has always been recognized as a wine with a distinct profile, and the specifications were drafted with the aim of representing this distinctive character.
Restrictive specifications
Grown on a variety of soils ranging from gravel to clay-limestone terroirs, there are now four authorized grape varieties: Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, and Sémillon. Five other grape varieties, including Alvarinho (native to Galicia) and hybrid varieties (Floreal, Liliorila, Sauvignac, and Souvignier Gris), are being tested for adaptability and are limited to 5% of the vineyard planting and 10% of the blend. The wines are then vinified and aged, with at least 30% of the wine required to spend a minimum of three months in wooden containers—not for the wood’s aromas, but to retain the lees and benefit from the roundness on the palate provided by the wood’s tannins. Bottling takes place starting April 1 of the year following the harvest and is done exclusively in glass bottles. You will not find Médoc white wine in cans or bag-in-box packaging.
Winemakers can produce white Médoc across all eight Médoc appellations (including the communal appellations of Margaux, Pauillac, and Saint-Julien, among others). To date, approximately 200 hectares are planted with white grape varieties in the Médoc. For the first vintage in 2025, 29 producers yielded 200,000 bottles from 63 hectares. It is still a niche appellation, but one that is gaining momentum.
Château Tour Prignac, Médoc Blanc 2025
This Bordeaux estate, the northernmost of the Castel family’s holdings, planted 10 hectares of white grape varieties four years ago and is producing its first vintage of a white Médoc made from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sauvignon Gris. This first Médoc is a lovely success, characterized by elegance and delicacy. Aromas of honeysuckle, pear, and lemon accompany a fresh, straightforward palate. The wine is mineral and briny, ideal for oysters from the Arcachon Basin.
This white Médoc already reveals lovely aromas of acacia honey, elderflower, crisp apricot, and toasty notes. The wine is full-bodied and rich; despite its youthful character, which is still evident due to its age, it retains a truly juicy, indulgent quality. You can decant it to open it up for tasting, but it’s best to wait for it to fully express itself this winter with whiting and a butternut tart. Stock up.
A wine that stands out from the rest with its Burgundy-style bottle, but from the very first whiff, you’ll find the classic Sauvignon characteristics of a beautiful, sun-drenched vintage: white flowers, lemon, fresh pineapple, and a hint of toasted almond. Despite this sunny vintage, the wine remains dynamic, with a lovely texture that is smooth yet firm and precise. Salty and mouth-watering, perfect with tuna tataki with pink peppercorns.
It’s young and intense. The wine opens with notes of Harlequin candy and citrus, then pastry aromas emerge, like a Saint-Honoré, almonds, and caramelized pears. Barrel aging provides a tannic structure and toasty aromas while retaining a distinctly fruity character. The wine gains intensity as you continue tasting. A wine with a distinct personality, which can be decanted or left to age a bit in the bottle to mellow. Pair with a classic veal blanquette.
A white wine that already expresses richness and complexity with aromas of pineapple, passion fruit, apricot, vanilla, and wood. On the palate, the body is lighter than the nose suggests. However, we appreciate the noble and straightforward texture with toasty notes and a finish featuring citrus zest that adds a nice zing. It pairs well with a risotto generously topped with Parmesan.
Château Talbot, a 4th growth, has been producing Caillou Blanc since the 1930s. This 2025 vintage was drawn from the barrel and still expresses its youth. Yet it already reveals an intense bouquet of peach, caramel, coffee beans, and tonka bean. The tension is clearly present, but from the very first sips, it’s clear this is a wine with great potential. Racy, the wine stretches toward a finish that seems to go on forever. Spices, including white pepper and Chinese five-spice, accompany us throughout the tasting, making this a wine with a beautiful personality that we can’t wait to see fully matured. It will be your perfect companion at the Christmas table with bouchées à la reine.
