Château Les Charmes-Godard - Francs Côtes de Bordeaux blanc 2021

Decanter

About the wine:

Fresh and lively, clean and crisp, it offers a good balance between succulent and juicy—almost sorbet-like—with creaminess and suppleness. Good length and intensity, no loss of momentum in the mid-palate, and a lively finish. 2022–2030

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

Acquired in 1988, Charmes-Godard is a little-known 4.44-hectare vineyard that produces a white wine crafted with the same care as a cru classé, with Sémillon as the dominant grape. A very lovely wine—undoubtedly one of the most delicious in the region—the 2021 vintage offers a pleasant mouthfeel, a broad and refined structure, and notes of crisp white fruit, white flowers, and citrus. A very pleasant white wine, fermented in 500-liter barrels and aged on lees for six months, best enjoyed with a meal. 2023–2030

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Nicolas and Cyrille Thienpont, father and son, work in tandem at the helm of three estates: Alcée (Castillon) and La Prade (Francs), led by the flagship estate, Les Charmes Godart, whose terroir—currently in the process of converting to organic farming—is home to some of the finest Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc wines, grown on the limestone and molasse plateau of the Fronsadais region within the Côtes de Francs appellation. Here is an estate offering three distinctive châteaux that provide excellent value for the price.
The wines: the crystalline charm of the Sémillons, harvested through successive selections, hasn’t lost a bit of its luster since last year. The 2018 still stands out among the Francs wines with its undulating, vibrant charm and the complexity of its fruit. In 2019, even though the fruit is even deeper, the salinity remains dominant. Among the reds, the 2017—concentrated, straightforward, and powerful—is beginning to mellow its muscular tannins. With its refined profile and elegant stature, Château La Prade stands out with velvety tannins and the spicy notes of a lingering finish. Château Alcée, the aging gem of the Thienpont family’s gourmet trio, combines richness and grace. It will take a little time for its Merlots, born of deep clay soils, to refine their character.

Vinous

About the wine:

The 2021 Les Charmes-Godard is composed of 65% Sémillon aged in 500-liter barrels with 6 months on the lees, harvested between September 14 and 24. Naturally, the Sémillon is at its best on the nose, with notes of yellow plum, lemongrass, and a subtle hint of resin and sea salt. The palate is well-balanced with a lively, fairly taut, and concentrated attack, where the Sémillon currently takes the lead over the other varieties, though this will mellow with bottle aging. In fact, I would keep it for 5 or 6 years, as it will develop many secondary aromas—though I’d bet that most of the 1,300 cases will be consumed prematurely! 2028–2040

James Suckling

About the wine:

A vibrant, fresh white wine with crisp, zesty notes of lemon, green apple, pineapple, and flint. Medium-bodied. Very fresh and approachable.

Le Figaro vins

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Fruity and floral, this wine is inviting and fresh. It has so much character and intensity. A Charmes-Godard that is briny, juicy, refreshing, and lingering.

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is fresh, elegant, and crisp. It features notes of crisp white peach and citrus zest, with a lighter hint of star fruit, combined with subtle hints of yuzu, discreet hints of fresh lychee, and a subtle, almost fresh-rose-like note. The palate is fruity, offering acidity, richness, juiciness, nice definition, and a tangy structure. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy, pulpy lemon, star fruit, and, more subtly, crisp flat peach, combined with hints of citrus zest, a subtle hint of lemon caviar, as well as discreet hints of almost iodine-like minerality and a subtle, sap-like note. Good length. Rich and indulgent, with a refined texture, savory depth, and a lovely definition. A lovely wine for fine dining. A refined savory quality—almost a subtle pearlescent note—on the finish and in the aftertaste.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Flowers, yellow citrus, honeysuckle, green apples, pears, and hints of pink grapefruit are ever-present on the nose and in the creamy, smooth, bright, vibrant palate, which is full of yellow citrus. Best enjoyed between 2023 and 2030.