2019 Château LAVILLE. Sauternes, Bordeaux

14 hectare estate in commune of Preignac, in the classic sweet wine area of Sauternes, just outside Bordeaux. They are close by Bastor-Lamontagne and Doisy-Vedrines.

90% Semillon, 10% Sauvignon Blanc; aged in new 400 litre oak barrels for 30 months. (140 g/l residual sugar)

Estate owned by Jean-Christophe Barbe, who did his university thesis on the subject of ‘noble rot’, the much sought-after infection that shrivels the grapes and ensures concentrated, uniquely flavoursome juice. His team go through the vineyard 5 times to select only the ‘properly botrytised’ grapes.

Not the best known Sauternes estate but one of the most consistent – and good value for the quality.

Medium-bodied style. Matches classic (but not too sticky sweets) like fruit tarts or crumbles. And cheese of course.

96/100 in Decanter Magazine, January 2022:
“…all about texture, featuring lush and rich vanilla, caramel and set honey flavours alongside dried red apple skins”.