2016 Chateau La Tour Blanche (375ml)

Chateau La Tour Blanche takes its name from the founder of the estate, Jean Saint Marc du Latourblanche, and is one of the most respected producers in Sauternes. The 40 hectares of vines used for their grand vin are planted in one large parcel with a prime location close to the Ceron river, and the soils are a mix of gravel, clay, sand, and limestone. Planted here is a combination of 83% Semillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc, and an unusually high proportion of Muscadelle at 5%. The Semillon is aged in 35% new, French oak barrels for 16 to 18 months, while the Sauvignon Blanc and the Muscadelle are aged for 16-18 months in stainless steel vats before blending and bottling.

Other Reviews....
Pale lemon-gold colored, the 2016 la Tour Blanche gives flamboyant tropical layers of mango, guava and passion fruit with hints of clover honey, beeswax, nutmeg, jasmine and preserved ginger. Big, rich, concentrated and seductively oily in the mouth, the palate is unashamedly decadent, and it finishes very long and spicy. Drink 2021 - 2047.
95 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate (March 2019)

The 2016 La Tour Blanche has an extremely well defined bouquet featuring intense honeyed, botrytis-rich fruit, supremely well focused and conveying fine terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with viscous honeyed fruit laced with orange zest, marmalade, ginger and quince. There is a wonderful sense of harmony here. Persistent in the mouth while maintaining superb tension. Impressive. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. Drink 2023-2050.
96 points
Neal Martin - Vinous (Jan 2020)

A slew of dried mangoes and candied citrus, a full, succulent body and a long, clean finish, give this Sauternes plenty of appeal. Drink or hold.
93 points
James Suckling (Jan 2019)

One of the top Sauternes in this report is the 2016 Château La Tour Blanche, and while 2016 was not a great vintage for the sweet wines of Sauternes, this beauty makes the most of it. Fabulous notes of honeyed peach, tangerine, flower oil, and honeyed citrus all give way to a sexy, full-bodied, flamboyant effort that’s already impossible to resist. Drink it any time over the coming two decades. Drink 2019 - 2039.
97 points
Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2019)