Majestic 45th Birthday Sauvignon Blanc Gros Manseng is one of two special blends created exclusively for Majestic’s anniversary, with the aim of offering a bold yet versatile wine that exceeds expectations for its price. When I first saw it, it gave off a modest impression and I didn’t expect anything out of the ordinary. But on tasting it, it quickly became clear that a lot more thought and care had gone into this wine than the packaging lets on.
Created by Majestic’s Head Buyer, Matt Fowkes, in collaboration with long-standing producer partners, the blend captures the essence of what Majestic does best. It’s made from 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Gros Manseng Moelleux, a variety more commonly found in the South West of France, particularly Gascony. This gives a good hint at the wine’s likely provenance, even if it is labelled simply as Vin de France. Moelleux translates as “soft” or “mellow” and some of that character shows itself clearly here.
This 2024 vintage, with an ABV of 11%, is immediately impressive even straight from the fridge. It gives off a grassy scent and delivers a strong impression of peach alongside citrus, apple, and pineapple. It’s richer, rounder and slightly sweeter than many French Sauvignon Blancs, though not as punchy or sharp as those from New Zealand. Counteracting the slight sweetness, there’s still a citrus edge, possibly grapefruit, but it’s gentle. What really stands out is the texture, a rounded, smooth feel that comes from ageing on fine lees in steel vats at low temperatures. The flavour carries on impressively long after each sip, with a sense of balance and completeness that’s rare at this price point.
It’s the sort of white that would pair beautifully with grilled seafood, goat’s cheese salad or roast chicken. In the end, what seemed like a fairly average bottle turned out to be rather special. At £10 as part of a Mix Six deal, it’s superb value.
