JCP Maltus, Le Nardian Blanc, 2022
JCP Maltus, Le Nardian Blanc, 2022
- 75cl
- 13.5%
- White Still
- Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle
- Kosher
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2032
Le Nardian is the product of a wager between their now-retired Consulting Oenologue, Gilles Pauquet (also consultant to Chateau Cheval Blanc, Figeac and Canon) and JCP Maltus, that a low cropped white would see similar benefits to a red wine.
This characterful white Bordeaux includes 15% low-cropped Muscadelle (cousin of Viognier) that gives a Rhône-like aromatic richness and texture, and ensures Le Nardian makes fans at every tasting for its distinctively rich, exotic profile.
Currently showing its exotic primary fruit to perfection, with the dried apple, pineapple, and honeyed citrus flavours at their most expressive. Over the next 2-3 years, we expect the mineral crushed stone character to become more prominent while the fruit integrates further with the phenolic structure from the Muscadelle. The wine should maintain its distinctive richness and exotic profile through 2030, with the floral notes evolving into more complex honeyed tones. After 2032, the exotic fruit may begin to fade, though the mineral backbone should keep it interesting for careful cellaring.
What the critics say:
"Very rich and dense with dried apple, pineapple and honey. Crushed stone. Flavorful and powerful. Still fresh with a pH of 3.45. It’s nicely framed with phenolics. A blend of 70% sauvignon blanc, 15% semillon and 15% muscadelle."
"The 2022 Le Nardian checks in as 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Sémillon, and 15% Muscadelle. It’s another beautiful effort from this team displaying exotic notes of fresh pineapple, honeyed citrus, and flowers, as well as a kiss of mint that emerges with time in the glass. Medium-bodied and vibrant on the palate, it has bright acidity, a great texture, and outstanding length."
Tasting Notes
AppearancePale gold with hints of green at the rim, showing good concentration.
NoseImmediately exotic with dried apple and fresh pineapple leading, followed by honeyed citrus and floral notes. The Muscadelle shows its Rhône-like character with a kiss of mint emerging with time in the glass. Crushed stone minerality adds complexity beneath the fruit.
PalateMedium-bodied and powerful yet maintains vibrant freshness thanks to bright acidity and a pH of 3.45. The low-cropped Muscadelle gives distinctive richness and texture, while phenolic structure frames the exotic fruit flavours. Great textural depth with outstanding length.
FinishLong and mineral-driven with persistent exotic fruit and a hint of honey.
Overall impressionA distinctively rich white Bordeaux that proves the wager between producer and consultant was worth taking.
Food Pairings
In Bordeaux, this style of rich white wine would traditionally accompany the region's excellent oysters from nearby Arcachon Bay, the salinity playing beautifully against the wine's exotic richness. Local chefs would pair it with freshwater fish from the Gironde, particularly pike-perch in beurre blanc, or with the region's famous foie gras where the wine's acidity cuts through the richness. The honeyed notes make it perfect with aged Roquefort from nearby Aveyron, a classic regional pairing.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve well-chilled at 8-10°C to preserve the exotic aromatics and bright acidity. No need to decant, but do allow it 10-15 minutes in the glass to fully express the Muscadelle's complex aromatics. Use a medium-sized white wine glass with a slightly tapered rim to concentrate the distinctive floral and exotic fruit notes.
The vineyards benefit from Bordeaux's temperate maritime climate, with the crucial factor being the dramatically low cropping yields that concentrate flavours and aromatics. The Muscadelle vines in particular are cropped severely to achieve the wine's signature exotic richness and texture. The resulting wine shows mineral complexity with crushed stone notes, suggesting well-drained soils that stress the vines appropriately.
White Bordeaux often plays second fiddle to the region's famous reds, but serious producers like JCP Maltus prove the appellation's potential for characterful whites. The regulations allow for creative blending of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle, with the latter grape being particularly important for adding aromatic complexity and textural richness. While most white Bordeaux emphasises freshness, Le Nardian represents the richer, more age-worthy style the region can achieve.
The 2022 growing season in Bordeaux threw everything at the vines: a warm, dry spring that brought flowering forward, followed by scorching summer heat that had many producers genuinely worried about their fruit. By August, some vineyards were showing real stress, with leaf burn and shrivelling grapes becoming common sights across the Left Bank. The saving grace came in September when temperatures dropped and gentle rains arrived just when the vines needed them most, allowing the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon to finish properly whilst preserving freshness.
What emerged from this rollercoaster was a vintage of surprising quality, though yields were predictably low. The reds show concentrated fruit with ripe tannins that avoid the harsh edge that excessive heat can bring - that September reprieve really mattered. Merlot fared particularly well, ripening before the worst of the summer stress, whilst Cabernet Sauvignon varies more depending on terroir and how well individual estates managed the heat. We're finding the wines drink beautifully now with immediate charm, though the better examples will certainly reward patience over the next decade.
FAQs
What does Le Nardian Blanc taste like?
Rich and exotic with dried apple, pineapple, and honeyed citrus, plus distinctive aromatic complexity from low-cropped Muscadelle that gives it an almost Rhône-like character.
When should I drink this wine?
Perfect to drink now while the exotic fruit is at its peak, and will continue to develop beautifully until 2032 as the mineral character becomes more prominent.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Excellent with rich fish dishes, foie gras, or aged cheese. The exotic richness works particularly well with Bordeaux's famous oysters or pike-perch in butter sauce.
How should I serve Le Nardian Blanc?
Serve well-chilled at 8-10°C in medium white wine glasses, allowing 10-15 minutes for the complex Muscadelle aromatics to fully express themselves.
What makes this white Bordeaux different?
The 15% low-cropped Muscadelle sets it apart, giving exotic aromatics and rich texture that's unusual for white Bordeaux. It's the result of a wager that low yields could benefit whites as much as reds.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
While gorgeous now, it will reward 3-6 years of cellaring as the mineral character develops and the exotic fruit integrates with the wine's phenolic structure from the Muscadelle.
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