Tour Blanche 2023

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.

Score: 95 - 97

Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com 08 May 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.

Score: 93 - 95

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2029-2055 29 April 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.

Score: 90 - 91

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 24 April 2024