Château Latour-Martillac White
2016
The 2016 Vintage
A mild and very wet winter led to an early and even budbreak. The wet weather lasted all the way through Spring accompanied by some very cool temperatures. Miraculously, full flowering took place between the 7th and the 11th of June which was a 5-day period of lovely weather and relatively hot temperatures. These conditions encouraged a quick and uniform flowering followed by a good return of fruit. The midpoint of the colour change of the berries happened around the 10th of August, with excellent uniformity across all the grape varieties. Despite these unpredictable swings of Nature; the heat and the absence of rain, the vines could maintain a healthy foliage right up to the beginning of the harvest thanks both to the water reserves and to the ploughing of the plots. Harvesting started 8 days late. Light showers at the beginning of September and a lovely Indian summer during the picking meant that all the grape varieties achieved perfect ripeness and a healthy condition placing the 2016 vintage among the great vintages.
Period of harvest
September 6th to 20th 2016
Blending
60% Sauvignon Blanc
40% Sémillon
Tasting notes
Wine Spectator by James Molesworth – 90 pts (2018/02)
« Alluring, with white peach, brioche, wet straw, honeysuckle and meringue notes all gliding through in lockstep. Shows lovely feel and length. Drink now through 2019. 1,500 cases made »
Wine Enthusiast by Roger Voss – 93-95 pts (2017/04)
« Barrel Sample. While this wine is crisp, it is also full of ripe apricot and spice tones as well as pink grapefruit and intense acidity. The balance is great, setting the wine up for some excellent aging. »
Vinous by Antonio Galloni – 88-91 pts (2017/04)
« The 2016 Latour-Martillac Blanc offers lovely persistence from start to finish. Lemon confit, white flowers and sweet mint notes, along with the texture of the Sémillon, give the wine its midpalate creaminess and depth. This classy white will drink well upon release.»
Optimal tasting
2019-2026
Service temperature
Above 10°C / 50°F for young wines. Between 12°C / 53°F and 14°C / 57°F, after 4-5 years of aging.
