It would appear so judging by some recent releases.

White wines in Bordeaux remain the minority only 8% of the production in dry white and another 3% in sweet whites but it is one of the most dynamic areas technically with dramatic improvements in quality in recent years.  Many top properties from the Sauternes region produce dry whites either from specific terroirs within their vineyards or from younger vines. Being an innovative bunch they take the original name such as G de Guiraud, Y d’Yquem, S de Suduiraut, R de Rieussec – I think you get the picture !

A few are slightly more adventurous I have already mentioned “La Demoiselle de Sigalas” introduced by Laure de Lambert whilst she was running the family property, 1st growth Sigalas Rabaud. Now Chateau Coutet, First growth of Barsac has released the 2010 Opalie on to the US and UK markets. The name of this 50:50 Semillion, Sauvignon blend  underlines the minerality from the limestone and clay soil, enhanced by fermentation and aging in french oak.

The team from Domaine de Chevalier under Remi Edange are also producing a dry white from the Sauternes terroir. Being no stranger to Sauternes since their investment in 1st growth Chateau Guiraud  in 2006 along side Robert Peugot, Stephan de Neiperg and Xavier Planty, they also know a thing or two about great white wines! They produced their first Clos des Lunes dry white in 2011, 17 000 bottles of Lune d’Argent from 25 ha just behind Chateau Guiraud at Caplan. As befits a wine from the region it is 70% Semillion for 30% Sauvignon. 2012 will see two another labels from the property, a small production of Lune d’Or and a second wine La Lune Blanche.

Clos des Lunes, Lune d’argent, presented in a traditionnal heavy sloped shouldered Bordeaux Bottle

But let’s not forget the more traditional Graves terroir famous for the dry whites of Bordeaux. The Medieval Chateau la Brede is at the heart of the Graves, more famous for Montesquieu, it’s historical owner, than its wine – this could be about to change.  Dominique Haverlan from, Vieux Château Gaubert, has taken over the wine making on these recetly planted vines and the dry white 2011 vintage is now available, again presented in an old fashioned heavy bottle with sloping shoulders and featuring the signature of the illustrious previous owner.