Château Laville 2015 | Sauternes

Wine Identification
Château Laville is a sweet wine from the Sauternes appellation within the Bordeaux region of France. The specific vintage presented here is 2015. Produced by the eponymous Château Laville winery, this bottle represents a classic expression of one of Bordeaux’s most prestigious dessert wine zones.

Origin and Winemaking
The vineyards are situated on clay-limestone soils at the confluence of the Ciron and Garonne rivers. This unique geography fosters morning mists from the Ciron river, which create the essential humid conditions required for the development of Botrytis cinerea (noble rot). The wine is a blend primarily of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, with Muscadelle also noted as part of the composition. Harvesting is conducted through tries successives, involving successive manual passes to select only those grape clusters that have reached their optimal stage of botrytization. Vinification involves fermentation in French oak barriques, where the wine also undergoes its ageing process.

Expected Profile and Tasting Notes
The 2015 Château Laville presents a honeyed nose with distinct notes of barley sugar. On the palate, it is described as rounded and honeyed, yet maintains a notable purity. Flavors of almond and peach infuse the mid-palate, leading to a finish that transitions into a spicy aftertaste. The overall structure suggests respectable concentration for its style, offering a pleasant balance between sweetness and aromatic complexity.

Critical Reception
The Wine Advocate (Parker) awarded this wine 90 points. In their assessment, they noted the commendable honeyed character and respectable concentration. The critic highlighted the palate’s rounded nature and purity, specifically pointing out the almond and peach nuances that lead into a spicy finish. The review concluded with the observation that this vintage was a "pleasant surprise" from a Sauternes producer the critic was not previously familiar with.

Overall Character
Château Laville 2015 is a refined sweet wine that leverages its specific microclimate and meticulous harvesting methods to achieve balance. It offers a classic aromatic profile of honey, stone fruit, and spice, supported by French oak ageing.