When tasting endless young red Bordeaux, it's always rather a treat to have dry white among them. Even so, this exceeded already high expectations. 84% Semillon, 16% Sauvignon Blanc. The intensity of this Laville 2006 is phenomenal. Such a beautiful, confected, floral nose boardering on medicinal on the palate. The waxy citrus notes persist alongside the brioche richness that will continue to develop with age. This is delicious in its youth and will reward cellaring for over two decades. 17.9 points (out of 20)
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En Primeur wines are still in barrel at the châteaux and are sold as ‘futures’ up to two years in advance of delivery. The price includes delivery in-bond to a dedicated storage account. Before your wine arrives in the UK you will have the option to specify duty-paid delivery to an address of your choice, but you will need to pay a release fee to cover duty, VAT and handling at the prevailing rates.
- Origin:
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France
- Closure:
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Natural Cork
- Style:
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Crisp, dry whites
Estimated delivery: Summer 2009
Estimated release cost: £276.00
"Mid green gold. Extraordinary nose that suggests very headily perfumed flowers in an expensive Asian hotel - lilies? Jasmine, I think. Very distinctive and racy on the nose with great weight and lanolin on the palate. Acidity in dominant role currently - lots of race - and pretty fine. Not as weighty as some vintages. But should age very well. I’d keep a long, long time until it takes on flesh - the acidity will easily bear long cellaring. Much finer and sleeker than many previous vintages. More angular and floral than the Haut-Brion Blanc. Not sure anywhere else in the world has ever produced anything like this."
Jancis Robinson,
www.jancisrobinson.com, 18.5 points (out of 20)
More reviews from Jancis Robinson
"Very racy and exciting, with pineapple, honey and vanilla character and loads of grapefruit and mineral. This could be one of the best young Lavilles I have had in a while. A lot of work was done selecting the best grapes because of rot, but this came out wonderfully. About a quarter of the grapes were selected out at harvest."
James Suckling,
The Wine Advocate, 95-100 points
More reviews from James Suckling