Always a more exotic, richly textured style of Bordeaux white wine, and it suits the exuberance of the 2018 vintage. Still young at three years old, dripping with nectarine, apricot pit, saffron and orange peel. It's at a lovely stage right now, with the savoury clean-feeling slate and lime coming out clearly. Harvest from 30 August 30 to September 5, unusually no Muscadelle in this vintage due to the dry summer, and no malolactic fermentation carried out at any stage to keep feshness. Personally, I think it benefits from this.

Clear exotic fruit notes with powerful nectarine and white peach, as is often the case with Aile d'Argent. Rich in texture, with lots of depth to the candied citrus and brioche, with lime blossom and slate. Beautiful bitter orange notes add interest through the finish.

A big white with very dense dried apples and peaches. Dried pineapple, too. Full-bodied, rich and flavorful. 45 per cent semillon, the rest sauvignon blanc.

There was no malolactic fermentation and no Muscadelle this year—both unusual for Aile d’Argent. Composed of 55% Sauvignon Blanc and 45% Sémillon (harvested August 30 to September 5), the 2018 Aile d'Argent has 13% alcohol and is a little reticent to begin, offering fragrant notions of lemongrass, freshly chopped ginger and lemon tart with a core of fresh pineapples, white peaches and aniseed. The palate is rich, sultry and exotic with loads of spices and tropical fruit and an electric backbone of acid, finishing very long.

The 2018 Aile D'Argent Blanc offers good freshness and purity as well as some tropical hints in its tart peach, pineapple, and crushed citrus aromas and flavors. It's beautifully balanced and has a fresh, clean, crisp style ideal for drinking over the coming couple of years. - jebdunnuck.com, May 2019

The 2018 Aile d’Argent, which had been bottled in September, underwent no malolactic fermentation this year. It has a bright lemon thyme, mango and honeysuckle bouquet that is well defined and fresh, if not intense. The vibrant palate is almost Loire-like in style, with mango, Conference pear and a light saline note on the finish. Very fine, though not quite reaching the peaks of previous vintages.

The 2018 Aile d'Argent is laced with pineapple, tangerine, white flowers, mint and lemon confit. There is good up front depth and creaminess, but the wine loses some of its initial richness on the mid-palate and finish. Ultimately, the 2018 comes across as a bit heavy. The blend is 55% Sauvignon Blanc and 45% Sémillon.

55% Sauvignon Blanc, 45% Sémillon. Barrel sample. A touch cloudy. Complex and rich on the nose, there's oak's cedary spice but also an impressive depth of fruit, citrus and ripe pear. A definite tannin structure here, not particularly rich on the palate but well-structured and long. Sour grapefruit on the palate brings freshness. Longer than it is deep but harmonious. Spicy and quite tannic on the finish and that very slight tannic friction increases the freshness overall. The power is in the length rather than in the depth on the mid palate. (JH)