TN: 2003 Château La Tour Blanche Sauternes

Rob_MacKay · October 3, 2009, 4:01pm

2003 Château La Tour Blanche Sauternes - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes (10/2/2009)
We purchased this 750ml bottle on release at Costco about 3 years ago for $43. The color has very slightly darkened in that time to a rich golden. Amazing nose of apricot and honey. The massive wallop that you get on the palate is an incredible mix of acidity, sweetness, spice and weight and the finish just goes on and on. Easily the best Sauternes that we’ve had. (96 pts.)

ToddFrench · October 3, 2009, 4:19pm

Wow, Rob, now I regret not picking some of this up when 1) I saw it at Costco, 2) we didn’t have a recession yet, and 3) I was busy buying Rieussec there. I had no experience with LaTour Blanche at the time, not until I had it at UGC, and for that price, you can’t beat it. I should have taken the jump, as I’m one of few fans of '03 Sauternes.

Glenn_L_e_v_i_n_e · October 3, 2009, 4:20pm

oh i think there will be many fans of 2003 Sauternes. i have a few 1967 La Tour Blanche bottles chilling now.

Rob_MacKay · October 3, 2009, 10:37pm

Glenn, how dark is the 67? I was surprised that the 03 had darkened a bit even though I bought it just three years ago.

We’ve had the 05 La Tour Blanche as well and while it’s pretty good, the 03 blows it away.

Tyler_Rico · October 3, 2009, 11:54pm

Had the 66 LTB a month or so ago which was a nice treat. Given the reputation of 67’s, no doubt yours will deliver.

03 is a largely underrated vintage IMO. Over shadowed by 01 and with 05’s coming into swing you can still get great deals on 03’s. Rieussec and LTB can still be had for around $50 per 750ml.

Glenn_L_e_v_i_n_e · October 4, 2009, 12:50am

representative of the few bottles i own…

T_Schaffler · April 7, 2014, 3:32pm

Opened a half last night on a whim. OMG, this is fabulous stuff! Has really rounded out to be a stunner. Easy 96 pts. Very happy recently picked up 6 750s.

Arv_R · October 3, 2024, 5:05am

The 2003 La Tour Blanche [Sauternes] remains a glorious, plump stunner. It’s a viscous, honeyed style of this dessert wine showing candied orange peels and glaceed apricots. The color is turning mahagony but I think it will keep another couple of decades. The 2003 sweet wines of Bordeaux have turned out to be longer lived than I expected. It was a great era, when nearly ever odd numbered vintage was great, and the even numbers were good, with the plus of being cheap. Solid A grade.