Château La Tour Blanche

“Golden nectar from the mists of Ciron: Château La Tour Blanche”

Château La Tour Blanche – or, as it is often known locally, Château Latour Blanche – is one of the true legends of Sauternes. Founded in the 17th century, the estate is situated in the commune of Bommes, nestled amongst the rolling hills of the Sauternes appellation. In the famous 1855 Bordeaux classification, it was awarded the status of ‘Premier Cru Classé’ and ranked second, just behind the undisputed king, Château d’Yquem – a ranking that has always underscored its exceptional potential.

The estate’s history is peppered with influential figures. A decisive turning point was the era of Frederic Focke, a owner of German origin who, at the end of the 18th century, introduced the technique of late harvest, modelled on German sweet wines, thereby laying the foundation for the legendary style of La Tour Blanche . The last private owner, the philanthropist Daniel Iffla, bequeathed the estate to the French state in 1907 – on the condition that a free school for viticulture and oenology be established there . This unique combination of a top-class vineyard and an educational institution still exists today and makes La Tour Blanche one of a kind amongst the classified estates.

The 40-hectare vineyard terroir , planted with approximately 82 to 83 per cent Sémillon, 12 per cent Sauvignon Blanc and around 5 per cent Muscadelle , benefits from its ideal location on the River Ciron, where the morning mists encourage noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). The grapes are harvested by hand in several selective passes, and the wine is aged for up to 24 months in new barriques . The result is wines of rare finesse and impressive longevity. The second wine is called ‘Les Charmilles’. With an annual production of just around 40,000 bottles , the wines from La Tour Blanche are among the most sought-after sweet wines in the world – a living testament to tradition, excellence and a very special history .