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La Tour Blanche 2020

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Sauternes and Barsac
ColourSweet White
TypeStill
Grape VarietySauvignon Blanc/Semillon

Founded in the 18th Century, owner Daniel "Osiris" Iffla left this first growth estate to the French government in 1907 on the condition that a tuition-free school of oenology and viticulture was created there. The 40 hectares of vines are planted with 83% Sémillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle. Barrel ageing is in 100% new oak over 16-18 months.

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Label

Tasting Notes

This was still on the lees when tasted, but full of super attractive orange zest and saffron flavours, plenty of depth and concentration, as you would expect with the tiny 1.8hl/ha yields. In conversion to organic farming. New oak barrels for the Sémillon, stainless steel vats for Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle.

Drinking Window 2022 - 2042

93
Jane Anson, Decanter.com, May 2021

Full bottle 1,335 g. Undated cask sample. 89% Sémillon, 5.5% Sauvignon, 5.5% Muscadelle. Conversion to organic viticulture. Yield just 1.8 hl/ha!! 'Traditional' vinification with new barrels only for the Sémillon. Sauvignon and Muscadelle are vinified in tank for aromatic freshness.
Pale orangey gold. That pear-juice/botrytis nose plus light, interesting cheesiness. Good energy and balance. This has some of that tarte Tatin juice character. Weight but not heaviness. Light smokiness. Impressive. But just look at that yield! 13.5%
Drink 2024 – 2040

17+
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2021

Pale orange-gold; a quite intense, dried-fruit character suggests a little botrytis on the nose, complex and persistent to smell; moderately rich, fresh, some concentration and an overall attractive, if lighter, Sauternes balance; sweet, a nice gentle complexity, some spice and light length. Clearly some botrytis here, and one of the richer wines for the year, but this, too, is a pleasing aperitif style, and notably limited for the cru.

90/91
Michael Schuster, The World of Fine Wine, May 2021

The yield this year is a miniscule 1.8hl/ha - as such we have been unable to taste the wine En Primeur.

Farr Vintners, Farr Tasting, May 2021
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.