Château La Tour Blanche, 1er Cru Classé, Sauternes, 2003
Initially restrained on the nose, but opening up to delicate white peach and honeysuckle aromas; sweet, rich and generous on the palate, with good structure and weight, and of freshness from the rich citrus and pineapple fruits. Long, complex minerality. One of the stars of the vintage.
critic reviews
Ex-chateau bottle tasted blind in Sauternes. The La Tour Blanche 03 offers yellow flowers, melted candle wax and honey on the nose with Muscat-like aromas developing in the glass. The palate is well-balanced on the entry with lemon curd and honey notes, though it needs just a little more acidity to give it tension and freshness. The finish is quite linear, springs no surprises, and just drifts a little when you seek more tautness and race. Still, this is a pleasurable, if not profound La Tour Blanche. Drink now-2020+ Tasted April 2013.
Enticing bright yellow-gold color. Subdued but very pure aromas of orange peel, apricot, honey and spices. Supersweet, fat and spicy; wonderfully round, chewy and unctuous. As thick and '03-like as this is, it remains fresh and lively. Not the last word in complexity but this fine-grained wine is delicious already, and finishes with superb, palate-staining persistence.