Château Latour-Martillac 2023

Yet more proof of how the dry whites tend to outpace the dry reds (with notable exceptions) in Pessac-Léognan as this gorgeous wine exhibits ripe grapefruit, honeysuckle and juicy peach aromas and flavours. The tangy and fresh palate shows breed, with linear precision not without some opulence, ending on a long, iodine finish.

60% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Sémillon. Cask sample. Aromatic, with the Sauvignon component to the fore and a chalky edge. Mid-palate fruit present. Clean and relatively appetising. (JL)

Honeysuckle, waxy lemons, and a hint of pineapple aromatics are a treat to find in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is fresh, juicy, clean, and pure, with notes of green apples and yellow citrus on the palate and in the finish. This will be easy to enjoy on release and for up to a decade after that. The wine blends 60% Sauvignon Blanc with 40% Semillon. Drink from 2025-2034.

Very pale yellow-green, silver reflections. Nuances of blossom honey, yellow tropical fruit aromas, subtle wood spice. Medium complexity, some peach, fine acidity, mineral, a hint of sweetness on the finish, already accessible.

Restrained start, citrus, yellow apple and verbena. On the slender palate, lively tension and a finely peppery extract. Aromatic finish with citrus peel, grapefruit essence and a delicate chalky note.

Lime juice, citrus fruit, fresh peach, kiwi, liquorice and slate character, good grip and lift. Unfussy and bright.

Score: 90–92. A rich, toasty bouquet with subtle hawthorn aromas. On the palate, pure, juicy yellow fruit with lively acidity is accompanied by the gentle bitterness of herbs.

You need to coax the bouquet a little, but it eventually reveals elegant notes of lemon, hawthorn and mango. As usual, the balance comes from the incisiveness (mineral brightness and citrus) of Sauvignon and the volume of Sémillon (texture and richness). Lovely lemony finish.

There’s a lovely honeysuckle accent breezing along over the top of fresh white nectarine, yellow apple and fennel flavors. A vibrant quinine note adds lovely energy through the lengthy, mouthwatering finish. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2030. 3,000 cases made, 500 cases imported.