Chateau La Tour Blanche Sauternes Bordeaux, Complete Guide

La Tour Blanche

Learn everything about Chateau La Tour Blanche Sauternes, Premiers Crus with wine tasting notes, and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, the history of the property, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau La Tour Blanche History, Overview

Chateau La Tour Blanche, following in the tradition of the times, takes its name from the founder of the estate, Jean Saint Marc du Latourblanche. Skipping ahead about 100 years, give or take, the next important chapter in the history of Chateau La Tour Blanche takes place during the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux wine.

In fact, in those days, the estate was one of the most respected in the Sauternes appellation, not that far behind Chateau d’Yquem! At the time, the estate was the property of a German citizen, Frederic Focke.

Frederic Focke is known for trying to take credit for introducing the concept of making sweet wines that had been infected by noble rot, better known as botrytis in Sauternes. Of course, that is not correct as the region has a long history of producing sweet wine that dates back to at least the mid to early 1700s.

The modern era of Chateau La Tour Blanche really begins thanks to Daniel Osiris Iffla. Daniel Osiris gifted the chateau and vineyard to the French Government with the condition that a Bordeaux Wine School be created on the Sauternes property.

In 1909, The Ministry of Agriculture finally agreed and created the La Tour Blanche School of Viticulture and Enology. Construction was completed two years later in 1911. To commemorate this gift, the name of Osiris is still seen on the label of Chateau La Tour Blanche which states “Donation Osiris”.

Despite its unusual status, Chateau La Tour Blanche is run by people experienced in the Bordeaux wine business.

Chateau La Tour Blanche Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 44 hectare Sauternes vineyard of Chateau La Tour Blanche has 40 hectares of vines planted to 83% Semillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle. That gives La Tour Blanche one of the higher concentrations of Muscadelle in all of Bordeaux.

The terroir is a mix of gravel, clay, sand, and limestone soil. The vine density is 6,200 vines per hectare. The vineyard is in one, large parcel of vines, in a prime location, not far from the Ceron river. There are good elevations here, as at the top of the slopes are close to 67 meters at their peak.

They also maintain 4 hectares of vines for red wine grapes planted to 100% Merlot.

To vinify the wine of Chateau La Tour Blanche, vinification takes place in a combination of 100% new, French oak barrels and one-year-old, French oak barrels and steel vats. 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.

The best vintages of Chateau La Tour Blanche are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2001, 1997, 1990, 1989 and 1988.

On average, the annual production of Chateau La Tour Blanche is close to 6,000 cases per year. There is a second wine, Les Charmilles de La Tour Blanche. The estate also makes 4 dry white Bordeaux wines, DUO de La Tour Blanche, Isis, Osiris, and Jardins de Thinoy. Additionally, La Tour Blanche also produces Cru du Cinquet, a red Bordeaux wine from 100% Merlot.

When to Drink Chateau La Tour Blanche, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau La Tour Blanche can be enjoyed on the young side with no decanting. In fact, it is delicious and quite a treat young, even on release! However, like all great wines, Chateau La Tour Blanche is much better with age and does not reach full maturity until it’s between 12-30 years of age, or in some years, perhaps even longer in the best vintages! That is when the magic happens!

But that is unrealistic for 99% of the world’s wine drinkers. So, enjoy it at any special occasion that calls for it.

Of course, the wine is sweet, but there is so much, incredible, racy acidity, the wine always feels fresh, and never cloying, which makes it quite fun to enjoy young. With Chateau La Tour Blanche and frankly, all Sauternes, the temperature is more important than decanting.

Serving Chateau La Tour Blanche with Wine and Food Pairings

Chateau La Tour Blanche is best served at 14 degrees Celsius, 57 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The wine will naturally warm in the glass, while it develops more aromatic complexities and fleshes out.

Chateau La Tour Blanche can be served with seafood dishes, especially shellfish, lobster, crab, and oysters on the half shell. Foie gras is a perfect pairing with its natural sweet, salty and savory characteristics. Chateau La Tour Blanche can also be paired with roasted chicken, veal, and pork dishes that are either spicy or prepared with a touch of sweetness.

Spicy Asian cuisine, raw fish, like sushi or sashimi, and cheese, both hard and soft also make great pairings with Chateau La Tour Blanche.

www.tour-blanche.com

Château La Tour Blanche Wine Tasting Notes

21 Vintages 79,009 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
93
Candied lemon, pineapple, and honey with floral accents, apricots, and hints of white peach on the nose, and on the sweet, medium/full-bodied, fresh, mango, and pineapple-infused palate. Drink from 2025-2045. 92-94 Pts.

Candied lemon, pineapple, and honey with floral accents, apricots, and hints of white peach on the nose, and on the sweet, medium/full-bodied, fresh, mango, and pineapple-infused palate. Drink from 2025-2045. 92-94 Pts.

2,354 Views   Tasted
2021
92
Honeyed tropical fruit with floral accents, apricots and hints of white peach on the nose and on the sweet, medium/full-bodied, fresh, mango and pineapple infused palate. Drink from 2023-2045. 91-93

Honeyed tropical fruit with floral accents, apricots and hints of white peach on the nose and on the sweet, medium/full-bodied, fresh, mango and pineapple infused palate. Drink from 2023-2045. 91-93

1,422 Views   Tasted
2020
93
Honey coated pineapple, buttery candied orange, lemon zest, flowers and apricots seek and get your attention. Rich, lush, sweet and fresh with ripe and overripe pineapples slathered with honey on the palate, but with enough acidity to maintain freshness. 92-94 Pts

Honey coated pineapple, buttery candied orange, lemon zest, flowers and apricots seek and get your attention. Rich, lush, sweet and fresh with ripe and overripe pineapples slathered with honey on the palate, but with enough acidity to maintain freshness. 92-94 Pts

1,918 Views   Tasted
2019
94
Candied orange rind, flowers, spice, overripe pineapple, honey and roasted toffee nuts are on display on the nose and palate. Fresh, sweet, vibrant, racy and honeyed, with long, lemon-tinged, honeyed pineapple finish. Drink from 2023-2045.

Candied orange rind, flowers, spice, overripe pineapple, honey and roasted toffee nuts are on display on the nose and palate. Fresh, sweet, vibrant, racy and honeyed, with long, lemon-tinged, honeyed pineapple finish. Drink from 2023-2045.

2,064 Views   Tasted
2018
93
With a strong floral character, the wine exudes candied orange rind, tangerine, lemon curd and pineapple on the nose and palate. Sweet, fresh and with macadamia nut honey riding on top of all the fruits, this is a solid sweet treat.

With a strong floral character, the wine exudes candied orange rind, tangerine, lemon curd and pineapple on the nose and palate. Sweet, fresh and with macadamia nut honey riding on top of all the fruits, this is a solid sweet treat.

944 Views   Tasted
Floral, apricot, candied orange and tangerine rind with macadamia nut honey is what you will find on the nose and palate in this easy going, sweet treat.

Floral, apricot, candied orange and tangerine rind with macadamia nut honey is what you will find on the nose and palate in this easy going, sweet treat.

2,356 Views   Tasted
2018
89
Crisp waxy lemons, grapefruit, spring flowers and a touch of bright, orange tropical fruit all wrapped up in a lush, creamy, fresh and fruity finish.

Crisp waxy lemons, grapefruit, spring flowers and a touch of bright, orange tropical fruit all wrapped up in a lush, creamy, fresh and fruity finish.

901 Views   Tasted
2017
93
With distinctive orange and tangerine accents on a superfluity of tropical fruits, there is a richness here that is tough to resist. The sultry, fruit-filled finish with its refreshing attitude is incredible. La Tour Blanche is one of the few Bordeaux cha

With distinctive orange and tangerine accents on a superfluity of tropical fruits, there is a richness here that is tough to resist. The sultry, fruit-filled finish with its refreshing attitude is incredible. La Tour Blanche is one of the few Bordeaux cha

2,925 Views   Tasted
2016
93
Focused on the buttery pineapple with tropical fruits and vanilla all coated with honey, you find a rich, lushly textured, honey soaked treat.

Focused on the buttery pineapple with tropical fruits and vanilla all coated with honey, you find a rich, lushly textured, honey soaked treat.

3,319 Views   Tasted
Flowers, vanilla, buttered pineapple and assorted tropical fruits drizzled with honey gets you going. Sweet, rich and lush in the mouth, with an apricot and honey oriented finish.

Flowers, vanilla, buttered pineapple and assorted tropical fruits drizzled with honey gets you going. Sweet, rich and lush in the mouth, with an apricot and honey oriented finish.

2,746 Views   Tasted
2015
92
Loads of sweet, tropical fruit, apricot, orange rind and nectarine all coated with honey. Rich, sweet and fresh, the spice and vanilla in the end add to all that sweet, lush fruit. La Tour Blanche is one of the few Bordeaux chateaux that still includes a percentage of Muscadelle in the blend. 91 - 93 Pts

Loads of sweet, tropical fruit, apricot, orange rind and nectarine all coated with honey. Rich, sweet and fresh, the spice and vanilla in the end add to all that sweet, lush fruit. La Tour Blanche is one of the few Bordeaux chateaux that still includes a percentage of Muscadelle in the blend. 91 - 93 Pts

3,256 Views   Tasted
2014
92
Apricot, candied orange, honeysuckle, spice and pineapple, all soaked in honey let you know what you're in store for. Add in the vibrant acidity and you have a winner here. Freshness paired with sweetness, from a blend of 82% Semillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle.

Apricot, candied orange, honeysuckle, spice and pineapple, all soaked in honey let you know what you're in store for. Add in the vibrant acidity and you have a winner here. Freshness paired with sweetness, from a blend of 82% Semillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle.

2,946 Views   Tasted
2013
90
Tightly wound at the moment and not giving up much. The wine is on the mineral driven, honeyed citrus, spice and orange marmalade side of the style range, with a honeyed, lemon fresh and vanilla finish. This will probably develop well, especially for tasters looking to pair sweet wines with savory and spicy dishes.

Tightly wound at the moment and not giving up much. The wine is on the mineral driven, honeyed citrus, spice and orange marmalade side of the style range, with a honeyed, lemon fresh and vanilla finish. This will probably develop well, especially for tasters looking to pair sweet wines with savory and spicy dishes.

3,232 Views   Tasted
2011
92
A solid preformance in this vintage. One of the few Bordeaux chateaux to include Muscadelle in the blend, the wine serves up vanilla tinged, tropical fruits, honey, flowers and spicy scents. The finish is sweet, fresh and offers good intensity.

A solid preformance in this vintage. One of the few Bordeaux chateaux to include Muscadelle in the blend, the wine serves up vanilla tinged, tropical fruits, honey, flowers and spicy scents. The finish is sweet, fresh and offers good intensity.

4,375 Views   Tasted
2010
93
Quite floral, with a nice mix of yellow and orange tropical fruits, a hint of vanilla, honey, apricots and overripe pineapple. Fresh, sweet, lush and lifted, this is delicious right now and should improve with ease for at least another 10-15 years.

Quite floral, with a nice mix of yellow and orange tropical fruits, a hint of vanilla, honey, apricots and overripe pineapple. Fresh, sweet, lush and lifted, this is delicious right now and should improve with ease for at least another 10-15 years.

2,491 Views   Tasted
2009
92
Lemon curd, pineapple, candied orange, spice, vanilla, mango, burnt sugar and a sprig of mint are at the center of this wine. Fresh, honeyed, spicy, and with a lemon chiffon note in the lifted finish, with a slight bitter note at the end of the finish, this is good to go. Drink from 2022-2040.

Lemon curd, pineapple, candied orange, spice, vanilla, mango, burnt sugar and a sprig of mint are at the center of this wine. Fresh, honeyed, spicy, and with a lemon chiffon note in the lifted finish, with a slight bitter note at the end of the finish, this is good to go. Drink from 2022-2040.

4,090 Views   Tasted
Citrus, vanilla, apricot, nectarine, pear and honey scents produce the aromatics. With ample concentration and acidity, the wine ends with a rich layer of spice and honey coated tropical fruits.

Citrus, vanilla, apricot, nectarine, pear and honey scents produce the aromatics. With ample concentration and acidity, the wine ends with a rich layer of spice and honey coated tropical fruits.

4,261 Views   Tasted
2007
93
Thick, rich, sweet, fat and intense, the wine displays a beautiful, nutty, tropical fruit, pineapple, apricot, vanilla custard and honeyed character. Sweet, juicy and delicious, there is good length found in the finish.

Thick, rich, sweet, fat and intense, the wine displays a beautiful, nutty, tropical fruit, pineapple, apricot, vanilla custard and honeyed character. Sweet, juicy and delicious, there is good length found in the finish.

3,459 Views   Tasted
2005
93
On the orange tropical side of the style range with loads of sweet, honey-coated apricots, spice and flowers, the wine balances all that juicy, luscious, honeyed sweetness with the right amount of racy acidity. This is drinking just great today.

On the orange tropical side of the style range with loads of sweet, honey-coated apricots, spice and flowers, the wine balances all that juicy, luscious, honeyed sweetness with the right amount of racy acidity. This is drinking just great today.

5,132 Views   Tasted
2003
93
This lusty beauty of a wine is packed with ripe and over ripe tropical fruit drenched in honey, pineapple, apricot, vanilla and spice. Fat, rich and lush, there is good depth and enough brightness to keep the wine vibrant.

This lusty beauty of a wine is packed with ripe and over ripe tropical fruit drenched in honey, pineapple, apricot, vanilla and spice. Fat, rich and lush, there is good depth and enough brightness to keep the wine vibrant.

5,158 Views   Tasted
2001
95
With an explosive nose packed with assorted tropical fruits slathered in honey, toasted nuts, vanilla, orange, spice, apricot and floral notes, this rich, thick, intense, sweet Bordeaux wine ends with layers of fruit, honey and acidity.

With an explosive nose packed with assorted tropical fruits slathered in honey, toasted nuts, vanilla, orange, spice, apricot and floral notes, this rich, thick, intense, sweet Bordeaux wine ends with layers of fruit, honey and acidity.

5,703 Views   Tasted
1990
89
Starting to fade, the fruit is lighter than I recall. There is more complexity in the honeyed, tropical, apricot and orange nose, than you are going to find in the medium bodied palate and its bright, citrus and apricot, sweet finish. This is not a wine to age further.

Starting to fade, the fruit is lighter than I recall. There is more complexity in the honeyed, tropical, apricot and orange nose, than you are going to find in the medium bodied palate and its bright, citrus and apricot, sweet finish. This is not a wine to age further.

4,040 Views   Tasted
This is a nice Sauternes that is clearly at, or slightly past its peak. The sweet honey fruit and rich textures are fading. I'd drink any remaining bottles sooner than later.

This is a nice Sauternes that is clearly at, or slightly past its peak. The sweet honey fruit and rich textures are fading. I'd drink any remaining bottles sooner than later.

5,068 Views   Tasted
1937
94
Amber in color, with the dark chocolate covered orange notes that pop up in very old Sauternes, the wine was still sweet, fresh, and lively, with loads of butterscotch, caramel, burnt vanilla, apricot and orange rind, with honeysuckle from start to finish.

Amber in color, with the dark chocolate covered orange notes that pop up in very old Sauternes, the wine was still sweet, fresh, and lively, with loads of butterscotch, caramel, burnt vanilla, apricot and orange rind, with honeysuckle from start to finish.

2,349 Views   Tasted
1935
83
More acid than fruit, with a distinctive orange, tangerine and not fully ripe apricot accent, this was clearly on the downhill side of life.

More acid than fruit, with a distinctive orange, tangerine and not fully ripe apricot accent, this was clearly on the downhill side of life.

2,500 Views   Tasted