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. 94 points

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. 93-95 points

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. 93-95 points