2018 Latour-Martillac Blanc (Pessac)

Ripe stone fruit flavours show the warmth of the summer but there`s a lovely sense of restraint and freshness in this good quality wine. It has a touch of bitterness, which gives focus to the finish. Successful in both colours in 2018. 50hl/ha yield. 25% new oak. 3.13pH. 92 points

54% Sauvignon Blanc, 46% Sémillon; 25% new oak. Slightly cloudy. Lots of pure lemon and grapefruit on the nose, a touch of spice. Very spicy on the palate too but there’s the fruit to fill out the middle. A bit sweet and sour but should come round. Certainly plenty of fruit even if the acidity is slightly aggressive. 16 points

The Latour Martillac 2018 Blanc has an expressive nose of fresh grapefruit, white peaches and lemon juice with hints of lime leaves and chalk dust. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers great intensity with loads of minerally sparks and a long, zesty finish. 91-93 points

A powerful, structured white, the 2018 Latour-Martillac Blanc has a real feeling of density to it. Citrus, white flowers and mint all take shape in the glass, but it is the wine`s textural resonance that stands out most. Some rough edges remain, but hopefully élevage will take care of them. More than anything else, it appears these old vines on clay handled the rigors of the growing season pretty well. The blend is 54% Sauvignon Blanc and 46% Sémillon. 88-91 points

This is a blend of 54% Sauvignon Blanc and 46% Semillon, picked at a yield of 50 hl/ha. The alcohol is 13.7%. This kicks off with a pure nose of white peach, smoky and lightly salty, with a little subtle matchstick reduction to the frame, and a lovely mineral confidence. A good substance on the palate, fresh, with plenty of nicely defined citrus and orchard fruits, with just a touch of grilled caramelisation to the latter, and plenty of pithy phenolic backbone too. Broad, full, grippy, but showing a softer structure than I would really have liked to find, bec ause while the fruit profile is gorgeous it simply lacks acidity. The élevage will be in 25% new oak. Tasted twice. 89-91 points