2019 Ronan by Clinet Bordeaux Blanc 750 ml

When we headed to Bordeaux last year, we had no idea that one of the highlights would be a bottle of inexpensive Bordeaux blanc, on a picnic blanket in the Jardin Public. From the same 100-point powerhouse Pomerol team behind the famed $150+ Château Clinet, the Ronan by Clinet Blanc left an impression that stayed with us long after the memory of most of our tastings at grand châteaux had faded.

Unlike the powerful reds from the region, the Ronan Blanc captivates with charm and freshness—a white wine that’s remarkable for how easy and delicious it is, and how quickly the bottle disappears. We have a shopkeeper in the town of Bordeaux to thank—once he heard what we were up to, he basically refused to sell us our provisions without a bottle for our basket, declaring it the ultimate aperitif wine. 

Boy, was he right. With beautifully expressive aromas of yuzu, white flowers, grapefruit zest, and a hint of yellow nectarines, it charms on all fronts. The palate is just rich enough for the wine to be delicious on its own, but has an electric energy that’s driven by a citrus mélange, alongside flavors of crushed rocks, lemongrass, and a touch of thyme. It perfectly sets off charcuterie, but we’re happy to down the rest of the bottle once the food runs out. At just $14.99 per bottle, it’s a perfect white wine to have on hand, regardless of what’s on the calendar.

Given that Ronan Laborde lends his name to this Bordeaux blanc, it’s no surprise that it left a lasting impression. The proprietor of Château Clinet, a legendary estate in Pomerol, he’s able to harness a winemaking team that’s responsible for multiple 100-point scores to develop the infrastructure and vinify Ronan by Clinet—his eponymous value project.

Known as “The Marathon Man” of Pomerol, Ronan is used to leading from the front. He took the baton at his family’s Clinet estate in 2004, and has never stopped sprinting, substantially transforming the vineyards with environmentally friendly practices, rebuilding the winemaking facilities, and staying still just long enough to get appointed president of the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (UGCB), the local trade organization for the region’s top producers.

That position as UGCB president has unlocked an unparalleled network of exceptional producers from which he can source top-quality grapes for his side hustle—something that’s evident from every sip. 

The blend is 80% Sauvignon Blanc, which brings freshness and verve, rounded out by 20% of the trickier-to-grow Sémillon, a grape that provides richness, texture, and orchard fruit. The wine is fermented in stainless steel so nothing stands in the way of the beautiful fruit flavors, yielding a wine that’s perfect before dinner or with roast chicken, cheese, and salads alike.

While our trip to Bordeaux might be just a memory at this point, we’re glad that we have a healthy supply of Ronan’s delightful white, for picnics at home and around town.