Château Latour-Martillac 2019

Pure and refined, with an alluring mouthfeel as gooseberry gelée, white peach, verbena and wet straw notes glide through, all while being supported by embedded fleur de sel and savory threads through the finish. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2025. 3,250 cases made, 700 cases imported.

Round, honeyed lemon, softer, more subtle; you can feel the weight of the oak on the palate with its spicy, hefty edges. Good freshness, though, with lifted lemon, lime and orange blossom. A touch sharp, and perhaps the spice is a bit too much right now.

A medium- to full-bodied white with aromas of dried grapefruit, lemon curd, fennel, gooseberries and cloves. Rich, compact and spicy with a pithy edge. Drink or hold.

Creamy citrus aroma. Crisp citrus flavour, very dry, fresh, and a little bit steely on the finish. (JH)

Light greenish yellow, silver reflections. Restrained, delicate honey blossom, fresh orange zest, background of delicate yellow tropical fruit. Medium body, fine fruit sweetness, white peach, mineral touch, appears rather light-footed, lemony touch on the finish, uncomplicated style.

The 2019 Château Latour-Martillac Blanc is terrific, offering a rich, concentrated yet bright and racy style that’s going to age beautifully. Ripe lemon, honeyed grapefruit, chalky mineral, and some floral notes all define the nose, and it’s medium to full-bodied, has terrific overall balance, and a great finish. It’s one classy Bordeaux Blanc that will have 15+ years of longevity.

Kunz barrel sample 2020: (58% Sauvignon Blanc, 42% Sémillon, 13.8% alc./vol., production 40,000 bottles) Feinherb, powerful, fresh bouquet of grapefruit, mint leaves, peach. Densely woven, elegant, fresh palate with powerful, delicate fruit, very well-integrated acidity, multifaceted aromatics, long, feinherb finish. Has room to improve.

(58% Sauvignon Blanc, 42% Sémillon, 13.8% alc./vol., production 40,000 bottles) Finely off-dry, powerful, fresh bouquet of grapefruit, mint leaves, peach. Densely knit, elegant, fresh palate with powerful, precise fruit, very well-integrated acidity, diverse aromatics, long, finely off-dry finish. Still has room to develop. 17/20 2023 - 2038

Poised, a little reserved, but this has been skilfully handled and shows delicious lemongrass and white flower notes alongside fresher lemon and nectarine. Clear persistence on the finish. 25% new oak. Harvest September 3 to 17.

A blend of 58% Sauvignon Blanc and 42% Semillon, the 2019 Latour-Martillac Blanc sashays out with notes of lemon curd, fresh grapefruit, and paraffin wax, plus suggestions of sea spray and lime zest. The medium-bodied palate is mineral-laced and crisp, with a long chalky finish.

Logo on the capsule: AL Pale color. Intense, refined nose, fruity, pure and spicy. Delicate on the attack, very aromatic mid-palate, with a fine roundness; the wine lengthens on the finish with flavors of flowers and very ripe white fruits (pear). A minty touch lingers, with sauvignon reappearing and a hint of lemon.