The Graves appellation, the historic birthplace of great Bordeaux wines, is world-renowned for the quality of its red wines, but also for the exceptional finesse of its dry white wines. Once among the most sought-after in the region, they continue a tradition of excellence that Château Cazebonne is committed to honouring and magnifying.

Our Graves terroir, characterised by rolled gravel soils and excellent drainage, provides the ideal setting for traditional white grape varieties. These distinctive soils, capable of capturing and then radiating the sun's warmth, foster optimal ripening and aromatic concentration in the berries, lending Cazebonne white wines their unique character: freshness, complexity, and that unmistakable minerality.

The Grape Varieties at the Heart of Graves White Wines

At Château Cazebonne, we passionately cultivate the three pillars of Graves white wines:

• Sauvignon Blanc: It brings essential vitality, citrus notes such as grapefruit, vegetal nuances (boxwood), and occasionally a hint of exotic fruit that awakens the senses.
• Sémillon: The quintessential Graves grape variety, it imparts body, roundness, and tremendous complexity to the wine. Its ageing potential is remarkable, revealing aromas of beeswax, honey, and candied fruit over time.
• Muscadelle: Used in complement, it diffuses delicate floral and muscat-like touches, adding a distinctive aromatic subtlety to the blend.

Our approach is fully rooted in respecting this viticultural heritage. Certified in Organic and Biodynamic Agriculture, we craft our white wines with the utmost care, seeking to preserve the vibrancy of the fruit while developing complexity through meticulous ageing (in seasoned oak barrels or amphorae) and controlled stirring of the fine lees (bâtonnage). Learn more about our approach to biodynamic Bordeaux and organic certification on our dedicated pages.

A Diverse Aromatic Palette in Graves

Graves white wines offer a remarkable spectrum of flavour profiles, ranging from the most vibrant, thiolic expressions to richer, rounder wines, with potential for sweet wines in certain terroirs.

From Vibrant Dry to Luscious Sweet

Traditionally, dry Graves white wines, such as those of AOC Graves, are renowned for their freshness and complexity. Sauvignon Blanc often takes the lead for its zestiness, citrus, and boxwood aromas. Sémillon provides roundness, richness, and ageing potential that develops honeyed and waxy notes. Muscadelle rounds off the blend with its floral, muscat-like notes. This combination yields balanced, elegant dry wines, perfect as an aperitif or paired with seafood.

Beyond dry wines, the Graves region is also famed for its sweet botrytised white wines, notably within the Sauternes sub-appellation. These exceptional wines, made from grapes affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), offer an unmatched concentration of flavours, with notes of candied fruit, honey, saffron, and tropical fruit. This duality between dry and sweet wines bears witness to the richness and versatility of Graves terroirs.

Château Cazebonne's Range of White Wines

The diversity of our white wines reflects our philosophy of revealing every nuance of our terroir and grape varieties:

• The Classic Graves Blanc: Our « Le Blanc de Cazebonne » cuvée is a traditional blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, balancing aromatic freshness, richness, and fine ageing potential.
• The Single-Varietal Cuvées « Comme un goût de... »: For lovers of varietal purity, we offer wines that highlight a single grape variety (Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, or Muscadelle). Vinified for their fruit-forward and generous character, they are generally bottled as Vin de France.
• The Orange Wine « La Macération »: Formerly known as « Les Galets » in the 2019 vintage, this wine is crafted through skin-contact maceration of white grapes (predominantly Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc). It offers a distinctive sensory experience, revealing surprising aromatic complexity and tannic structure, ideal for gastronomy. To learn more about this practice, visit our page on orange wine and maceration wines.
• Forgotten White Grape Varieties: True to our commitment to biodiversity, we are reviving historical Bordeaux white grape varieties, such as Blanc Verdet, Blanc Auba, Pruéras, and Sauvignonasse. These varieties, sometimes included in experimental blends, will eventually form dedicated cuvées, enriching the flavour palette of the region's white wines. This quest to rediscover and celebrate Bordeaux's ampelographic heritage is a journey back to the vineyard's roots, as explained by Jean-Baptiste Duquesne in his book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages". Discover our commitment to Bordeaux's forgotten grape varieties.

This quality-driven approach—combining respect for the terroir, rigorous organic and biodynamic standards, and innovation through the revival of forgotten grape varieties—is regularly praised by the wine press. Our recent first star in the prestigious Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France (La Revue du Vin de France) is a significant recognition, highlighting the consistent quality of our wines and positioning us alongside classified growths of Pessac-Léognan. Choosing a Cazebonne white wine means embracing the freshness and complexity of Graves, enriched by an authentic, vibrant, original, and acclaimed approach—an adventure made possible by the unwavering support of our customers.

You can discover our complete collection of cuvées available on the Cazebonne online shop.

To deepen your knowledge of the fascinating history of Bordeaux grape varieties, we invite you to receive the digital edition of the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages", published by Éditions BBD and written by Jean-Baptiste Duquesne.

Introducing « Le Blanc de Cazebonne »

« Le Blanc de Cazebonne », our flagship cuvée in the Graves appellation, embodies the purest expression of our terroir. Born from a harmonious blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, it reflects the perfect balance between aromatic richness and vibrant acidity. This dry white wine stands out for its finesse, complexity, and ageing potential, offering a memorable tasting experience.

Terroir of Origin and Soil Expression

The grapes for our « Le Blanc de Cazebonne » cuvée originate from the gravelly and clay-gravel soils characteristic of the Graves appellation. These terroirs, formed by alluvial deposits from the Garonne, consist of rolled pebbles and sand. They are renowned for their ability to drain water while retaining solar heat, fostering a slow and optimal ripening of the berries. This unique soil profile imparts a distinctive minerality and elegant structure to the wine—qualities also found in the finest Graves wines.

Careful Vinification and Ageing

The vinification of « Le Blanc de Cazebonne » is carried out with meticulous care to preserve the integrity of the fruit and express the quintessence of the terroir. Following hand-harvesting to select the finest bunches, the grapes are gently pressed, and fermentation takes place at low temperatures in stainless steel vats, followed by partial ageing in seasoned oak barrels. Ageing continues on fine lees with regular bâtonnage, adding roundness and aromatic complexity. Selected parcels may benefit from ageing in terracotta amphorae, contributing to the distinctiveness of our white wines. We are also proud of our commitment to working without additives.

Tasting Profile: Freshness and Complexity

On tasting, « Le Blanc de Cazebonne » displays a bright, golden hue. The nose is complex, combining citrus aromas (grapefruit, lemon), white-fleshed fruits (pear, peach), floral notes (acacia, honeysuckle), and a touch of minerality characteristic of Graves. On the palate, the attack is lively and balanced, followed by lovely volume and a long, saline finish. Its lingering freshness and complexity make it a wine of great elegance, capable of ageing for many years.

Suggested Food and Wine Pairings

« Le Blanc de Cazebonne » is a versatile wine that pairs beautifully with a wide array of dishes. It is a splendid companion to seafood (oysters, grilled king prawns), fine fish (salt-crusted sea bass, John Dory à la plancha), and poultry in creamy sauces. It also matches wonderfully with fresh goat's cheeses or lightly spiced Asian dishes. Its freshness will also elevate a cheese platter—for more inspiration, discover which Bordeaux wines to pair with cheese.

Château Cazebonne: Committed to the Future of Graves

At Château Cazebonne, our passion for Graves white wines is the driving force behind our daily dedication. By replanting heritage grape varieties and adopting a resolutely organic and biodynamic philosophy, we strive to preserve the richness of our terroir and craft wines of rare authenticity. This long-term dedication is made possible thanks to the support of discerning wine lovers, who can explore this world further by downloading the digital edition of the book « Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages », testing their knowledge with our wine quizzes, or discovering our wines directly on our online shop.