Château Bastor-Lamontagne 2022

Plump and lively, with green almond, apricot and papaya flavors that show good energy as they cruise through the orange blossom–tinted finish. Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now through 2038. 2,500 cases made, 250 cases imported.

Orange and fresh lemon zest on the nose. Energetic, cool, creamy, zesty, open and lifted! A lovely intensity straight away with precision, focus and real bite to the orange and lemon fruit with such a satisfying weight to the palate, not too rich, not too sharp but a really delicious crunchy yet sweet style that is creamy, light-footed and unctuous. I really like this, not trying too hard, less upfront than 2019 but there's such easy appeal here. More calm and relaxed than overt and upfront but I really like it. 165g residual sugar. 3.85 pH. Valerie Lavigne consultant.

55% Sauvignon Blanc, 45% Sémillon. Certified organic. Cask sample. Pineapple, pear and honeyed notes. Very pure. Full and rich on the palate, the botrytis evident. Long and persistent. A botrytis-bitter edge on the finish. A success this year. (JL)

The 2022 Bastor-Lamontagne offers uncomplicated white peach, dried honey and quince aromas on the nose, just needing a little more delineation. The palate is rounded and sweet on the entry, definitely missing some acidity, with some woodiness that mars the finish. This was not evident on previous bottles tasted, so I attach a question mark against my score and will seek to retaste. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.

Butterscotch, pineapples, lemon curd, and honey emerge on the nose, followed on the palate by light, bright, sweet, yellow tropical fruit and candied orange rind, all coated in honey. Sweetness balanced with lift is at play here. Drink from 2025–2038.

Light golden yellow, silver reflections. Fresh white tropical fruit, nuances of lychee and kiwi, a touch of vanilla, some blossom honey and peach. Juicy and deep, fine honey, melon and peach in the background. A textured sweet wine with a great future.

The 2022 Château Bastor-Lamontagne is beautiful, with lots of botrytis-driven aromatics of honeyed orange and citrus marmalade, with some floral nuances. It's medium to full-bodied, balanced, has the richness and power of the vintage, and a gorgeous finish.

Opulent bouquet, ripe Williams pear, mandarin oil, yellow hyacinths, and acacia honey. On the palate, syrupy with an oily texture, an alluring abundance of extract, and impressive body. The long, aromatic finish evokes a basket of dried apricots, Bienenstich, and white chocolate mousse.

Opulent, with a touch of grilled caramel and dried apricots; the texture is rich enough to risk overwhelming the fruit, but there’s a lovely mid-palate expansion of juicy, fleshy nectarine and pink grapefruit. Good quality. Organic farming, 44ha vineyard.

Freshness and fruit are perfectly balanced from the very first aromas. Soft notes of verbena, chamomile, and linden blossom emerge, along with yellow peach, mirabelle plum, and fresh pineapple interwoven. On the palate, balance is again the hallmark, with fresh aromas of yellow peach, plum, and sage. The texture, of great finesse, unfolds its charm into a slightly saline, highly sapid finish.

The bouquet of Bastor-Lamontagne stands out for its finesse and complexity. Its inviting nuances of lemongrass, candied limes, acacia blossom, as well as rooty notes, create a beautiful fusion of freshness, maturity, and terroir. Creamy and suave on the attack, the wine is silky, caressing, and supported by fine bitters that underscore the intensity and persistence of the finish. A charming and inviting wine that can already be enjoyed in its youth. I still think it will also age well. Taste it regularly to be sure!

The nose is fresh, offering a jammy side and a finely contained/tight character (at present). The wine needs decanting. It reveals notes of juicy flat peach, pear, and small notes of candied kumquat, combined with touches of roasted pineapple, candied lemon, as well as fine notes of verbena, linden, infusion and spices. The palate is beautifully constructed and offers fruit, minerality, concentration, lovely freshness, tension, depth, delicacy, a certain verticality, some richness, and an airy feel to the texture. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of candied lemon, candied kumquat, and small notes of roasted pineapple, combined with touches of small candied fruits, along with a discreet hint of dried apricot, verbena, and subtle toasted/spicy notes.

Yellow-green color with grey highlights. Intense, delicate, fruity, botrytized and pure nose. Broad on entry, highly aromatic mid-palate, with the melting grace conferred by noble rot; complete, the wine unfolds at length, noble, with the most nuanced and refined mouthfeel ever seen here. Superb! 100% certified organic. Blend: 55% sauvignon blanc, 45% sémillon. Alcohol: 13.5%. pH: 3.85. Residual sugar: 145 g/L.

The entry is soft with honey and spice aromas. Then the botrytis core shows a blend of dryness and full richness. The result is a balanced wine, stylish and textured. Drink from 2026.