The 2020 vintage was very challenging with too much rain and humidity in spring, followed by a very hot and dry summer, resulting in very ripe, small grapes. Harvest began on August 24 during another heat spike in mid-September. The good news is that the Sauvignon Blanc (68%) and Sémillon (32%) grapes were ripe and concentrated when hand-harvested. Fermentation was in French oak barrels with ageing on the lees for 15 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. The result is a rich, elegant wine with aromas and flavors of succulent, ripe peach, pear, apple, and subtle notes of lemongrass, wrapped in a silky texture, elegantly balanced with vibrant acidity.
Château Latour-Martillac, Pessac-Léognan Blanc (Bordeaux, France) 2020
By Rebecca Murphy