Tour Blanche - Sauternes 2023

Vinous

93

byNeal Martinthe2/1/2026

The 2023 La Tour Blanche has a pure, honeyed bouquet, touches of quince and orange pith manifesting with time, just a slight resinous element that becomes more pronounced. The palate is well-balanced, with a smooth, viscous opening, impressive weight (as always) with a more tropical finish compared to its peers. Lovely.

Jamessuckling.com

94

byJames Sucklingthe1/27/2026

Aromas of dried pineapple, apricots and a hint of caramel follow through to a full body with plenty of sweetness and a flavorful finish. Smoky at the end. Shows quality botrytis. 90% semillon and 10% muscadelle. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

My Bettane + Desseauve

96

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/15/2024

Tout en finesse et pureté aromatique, il prendra un peu plus de temps à s’épanouir complétement mais c’est une direction qu’il va prendre à coup sûr.

Yvesbeck.wine

96-97

byYves Beckthe5/14/2024

Tour Blanche offenbart sich mit Tiefe und Subtilität, gleich zu Beginn! Noten von Pfirsich und Quitte verbinden sich mit erdigen und blumigen Nuancen. Am Gaumen überzeugt der Wein durch seine Balance, seine subtile Seite, ohne Exzesse, sondern mit Gelassenheit und auf lineare Weise. Dichte und Süße gehen Hand in Hand und haben die Säurestruktur als Leitfaden. Der Wein ist ausbalanciert, lebhaft, lieblich und präzise. Ein Tour Blanche mit einem sehr großen Reifepotenzial, aber das ist bei diesem Weingut ohnehin bekannt!

Jeb DUNNUCK

95-97

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/13/2024

The 2023 Château La Tour Blanche is a powerful, spicy, full-bodied effort that shows the quality of this vintage in Sauternes, which has a subtle kiss of 2003 in its opulent style. Caramelized orange, candied mint, spicy wood, and white chocolate notes all define the aromatics, and it has nicely integrated acidity, gorgeous overall sweetness, and a great finish.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94

byJeff Levethe5/6/2024

Bright, sweet, honeyed, yellow citrus, and candied orange rind, zesty, and fresh, sweet, and bright... Candied lemon, pineapple, and honey with floral accents, apricots, and hints of white peach on the nose, and on the sweet, medium/full-bodied, fresh, mango, and pineapple-infused palate. Drink from 2025-2045. 92-94 Pts.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

94

byJane Ansonthe5/6/2024

Bright floral character, intensely spiced, this is exuberant and silky, with bright citrus and lime zest, fresh fig and white pear, great quality that maintains lift despite a tiny 3.5hl/ha yield.

Vinous

93-95

byAntonio Gallonithe4/30/2024

The 2023 La Tour Blanche is a deep, heady Sauternes. Apricot, mint, white flowers and orange confit are some of the many notes that build as the 2023 shows off its class. There is a real sense of creaminess married with power and intensity that distinguishes this edition of La Tour Blanche.

Vinous

93-95

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2024

The 2023 La Tour Blanche, picked from September 12 to October 12, comes laden with 150 grams per liter of residual sugar (the same as 2009 and 2010) but has 5.4g/L total acidity, a figure that would have been much higher in those vintages. The yield was just 3hL/ha due to an attack of grape worm in late September stemming from the warm conditions. It’s another Sauternes sample that did not want to come out and play during my tastings. The palate is much more enticing, with white peach, orange zest and apricot. It’s finely balanced, though not the behemoth that is a typical high-residual-sugar La Tour Blanche. Quite persistent on the finish, this should age well, but I suspect the nose will need time to open.

Falstaff

93

byPeter Moserthe4/29/2024

Medium yellow gold, silver reflections. Ripe yellow tropical fruit, fine wood spice, some honey, candied orange zest. Juicy, round and opulent, white peach, subtle acidity, fruity finish, mineral aftertaste, good prospects.

Alexandre Ma

96-98

byAlexandre Mathe4/28/2024

Jamessuckling.com

90-91

byJames Sucklingthe4/25/2024

There’s a density to this, with some caramel and spice to the dried-apricot and apple character. It’s medium-bodied and medium-sweet with a medium finish.

Vertdevin

94-95

byJonathan Chicheportichethe4/24/2024

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

94

byJane Ansonthe4/15/2024

Bright floral character, intensely spiced, this is exuberant and silky, with bright citrus and lime zest, fresh fig and white pear, great quality that maintains lift despite a tiny 3.5hl/ha yield.