Château Bastor-Lamontagne 2023

Intense nose with floral honey, dried pineapple, apricots, nuts and dates; on the palate, sweet, powerful and expansive, with an outstanding balance between sweetness and acidity, every element in its place, great harmony and an impressive length.

A blend of 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2023 Bastor-Lamontagne emerges as a vivid expression of the vintage. It offers a lively, gourmand and fresh bouquet of apricot, baked pineapple, spices and cédrat. Medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and almost creamy in texture, it is finely balanced, with well-integrated acidity and a subtle note of rôti that lends a touch of gastronomic bitterness, carrying through to a fresh, appetizing finish.

Plump and inviting, with lovely notes of orange curd, papaya, white ginger, jasmine and honeysuckle streaming through in unison. A flash of yuzu spurs some juicy energy through the otherwise lush finish. Hard to lay off now, but there’s no rush. Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now through 2045. 2,500 cases made, 500 cases imported.

One of the best en primeur wines I have had from this often over-performing estate, exuding ginger, clove, black tea, orange rind confit, pear and apricot. Excellent verve from the majority Sauvignon Blanc and that palate freshness and acidity does not have any overbearing sweetness but rather a fine palate texture with mid-palate richness. With 135 grams of residual sugar, 4.3 grams of total acidity and 3.75pH.

Candied white peaches galore with pineapple, marmalade, and luscious honey pop in the nose. The zesty palate is just as good with more of those beautiful, honey-drizzled tropical fruits from start to finish. Served chilled, this is the perfect sweet treat to pair with savory courses or as an aperitif. Drink from 2027-2043.

Medium yellow gold, silver reflections. Delicately smoky and savoury yellow tropical fruit, hints of pineapple, peach and herbs. Deep, clear fruit expression, subtle acidity, honey in the finish, opulent style.

Vivid gold in colour this is opulent and enticing, skilfully delivered with beautiful orange zest and pineapple on the opening, with nectarine, white peach and pink grapefruit stretching out through the palate. Excellent. Organic farming, 44ha vineyard.

Score: 90-92. While the nose is rather shy, the palate is far more opulent, with a luscious, creamy texture. Flavours of upside-down apricot tart, vanilla-roasted pineapple and date honey stand out for their sweetness, leading into a rich, enveloping finish.

Hints of acacia blossom, flint, linden, passion fruit and nougat offer just a glimpse of the wine’s remarkable complexity. The cues waver between ripeness and freshness—pure harmony. Supple, dense and even saline on the attack, the palate confirms the exceptional symbiosis foretold by the bouquet. Rich and broad-shouldered, the wine is underpinned by a structuring freshness and fine bitters that highlight its aromatic character as well as the lingering finish. A delicious wine, distinguished by its outstanding ageing potential.

Logo on the cork: A in a circle (Amorim) Sun-yellow color. Moderately intense nose with pure, ripe fruit. Notes of orange, lemon and vanilla. Precise on the attack, especially aromatic on the mid-palate, with graceful texture and a beautifully built structure, the wine finishes long, silky and irresistibly moreish. The finest current effort in Sauternes.