Dry Whites

Release date: 10/6/2024

As usual a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. This seems more reticent on the nose than Les Hauts, with powdered chalk, green pear and orange peel, the Semillon dampening down theAs usual a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. This seems more reticent on the nose than Les Hauts, with powdered chalk, green pear and orange peel, the Semillon dampening down the expression a little I think. Nevertheless it shows beautiful texture and presence through the palate, with supple texture, finely veined phenolics and a fresh core of acidity. This will, I suspect, need some time to open up, through the élevage or in bottle, but it should be very good when it gets there. The alcohol is around 14%. Rating: 91-93 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 10/6/2024

The 2023 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is quite the extrovert. Apricot, passion fruit, mint, tangerine peel and pineapple all soar out of the glass. Medium in body, with gorgeous texture, the 2023 isThe 2023 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is quite the extrovert. Apricot, passion fruit, mint, tangerine peel and pineapple all soar out of the glass. Medium in body, with gorgeous texture, the 2023 is quite showy. I imagine it will drink well with minimal cellaring. Drinking range: 2026 - 2037 Rating: 94-96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 6/6/2024

Picked the last week of August, to preserve the acidity. Picked early but stopped mid-morning because of the heat. This 100% Sauvignon Blanc, vinified entirely in barrel. A beautiful nose, with purePicked the last week of August, to preserve the acidity. Picked early but stopped mid-morning because of the heat. This 100% Sauvignon Blanc, vinified entirely in barrel. A beautiful nose, with pure lemon peel freshness, chamomile, lemon balm and saline herbal tea. Delicious citrus, pear and melon fruits on the palate, with the same herbal and citrus complexities seen on the nose, with piles of vigour, fresh grip and bright acidity. Lots of substance here; this is a serious example of Pavillon Blanc with great structured to it, especially in the finish when the grip and the acidity shows through, which positively demands barrel and bottle time. Delicious. The alcohol is about 13%. Rating: 93-95 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (May 2024)

Release date: 29/5/2024

The 2023 Blanc from Latour Martillac reveals aromas of confit citron, lime, lime tree leaves, herbs and spices, followed by a juicy, round and layered palate framed by bright acids and aThe 2023 Blanc from Latour Martillac reveals aromas of confit citron, lime, lime tree leaves, herbs and spices, followed by a juicy, round and layered palate framed by bright acids and a mouthwatering finish with delicate smoky hints. This blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon was matured 20% in new oak barrels. Drinking range: 2025 - 2035 Rating: 89-91 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 23/5/2024

A blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Sémillon, the 2023 Les Arums de Lagrange evokes aromas of confit citrus, herbs, white flowers and grapefruit, followed by a medium-bodied, fresh and livelyA blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Sémillon, the 2023 Les Arums de Lagrange evokes aromas of confit citrus, herbs, white flowers and grapefruit, followed by a medium-bodied, fresh and lively palate that segues into a mouthwatering, delicate finish. Despite this varietal-inflected style, this is a great effort. It has a pH of 3.2 and 13.3% alcohol. Drinking range: 2024 - 2030 Rating: 87-89 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 21/5/2024

The 2023 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is one of the best dry whites of the year. Creamy and expansive, with terrific brightness, this exudes balance. Citrus confit, white pepper, mint, almond, pear andThe 2023 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is one of the best dry whites of the year. Creamy and expansive, with terrific brightness, this exudes balance. Citrus confit, white pepper, mint, almond, pear and crushed rocks are some of the notes that build as the 2023 shows off its pedigree. I expect it will offer exceptional drinking for the next several decades. What else is new? Drinking range: 2030 - 2053 Rating: 94-96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 17/5/2024

The 2023 Grand Vin Blanc Sec Vieilles Vignes is classy, elegant and polished. All the elements are impeccably balanced in a sublime, refined white that hits all the right notes Green pear, mint,The 2023 Grand Vin Blanc Sec Vieilles Vignes is classy, elegant and polished. All the elements are impeccably balanced in a sublime, refined white that hits all the right notes Green pear, mint, white pepper and jasmine build in the glass. Drinking range: 2025 - 2038Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Jan 2025)

Release date: 14/5/2024

This is very focused, with good energy and nervy acidity. Medium-bodied with vibrant citrus fruit and crunchy minerality. Firm and tense finish.This is very focused, with good energy and nervy acidity. Medium-bodied with vibrant citrus fruit and crunchy minerality. Firm and tense finish. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 14/5/2024

White peach and pear, green apple and citrus here, reserved but with plenty of grilled cumin and sage spice, and this is a wine that tends to deepen over the year following bottling (it is already inWhite peach and pear, green apple and citrus here, reserved but with plenty of grilled cumin and sage spice, and this is a wine that tends to deepen over the year following bottling (it is already in bottle but to be released in September 2024). 3.12ph, 50% new oak, aged on lees. Drinking range: 2024 - 2024 Rating: 92 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Release date: 14/5/2024

The blend here is 65.3% Sauvignon Blanc with 347% Semillon, the third time Sauvignon Blanc has come to dominate the blend in recent years, not the norm as the vineyard is dominated by Semillon. TheThe blend here is 65.3% Sauvignon Blanc with 347% Semillon, the third time Sauvignon Blanc has come to dominate the blend in recent years, not the norm as the vineyard is dominated by Semillon. The picking of the Sauvignon came at the end of one of the year’s mini-heatwaves, and on tasting the fruit was felt to lack some balance, hence more went into the second wine. A lively expression on the nose, with scents of lemon peel, chamomile, crushed chalk and pine needle, all very classic. After that nose the palate is just as lively as I had hoped, with a delicious sense of direction, carrying plentiful lemon, pear and melon fruits, but with a bright and breezy acidity to keep it moving along. Long and charged, this is a delicious, minerally, chalky white. Top work! The alcohol is 13.9%. Rating: 94-96 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 14/5/2024

The 2023 Haut-Brion Blanc is a quiet, restrained white. Pear, mint, white pepper and crushed rocks are all beautifully sketched, its mineral character emerging with time. The 2023 is not an obviousThe 2023 Haut-Brion Blanc is a quiet, restrained white. Pear, mint, white pepper and crushed rocks are all beautifully sketched, its mineral character emerging with time. The 2023 is not an obvious wine, initially quite aromatic but less expressive on the palate. The long, sustained finish takes things to another level. Complex and dynamic, the 2023 grows over time, hinting at an exceptionally brilliant future. Drinking range: 2028 - 2043 Rating: 93-96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 7/5/2024

A beautifully structured and complex white with pristine, bright citrus fruit and an exotic touch. There’s a mineral character to it, too, with oyster-shell and crushed-stone notes. It’s medium- toA beautifully structured and complex white with pristine, bright citrus fruit and an exotic touch. There’s a mineral character to it, too, with oyster-shell and crushed-stone notes. It’s medium- to full-bodied with racy acidity that adds energy and tension. Very long finish with fine tannins that frame it nicely. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 6/5/2024

This is 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 44.5% Semillon, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 0.5% Muscadelle, picked from August 29th to September 6th. This is fermented in barrel, with 30% new oak, with no skin contact, andThis is 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 44.5% Semillon, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 0.5% Muscadelle, picked from August 29th to September 6th. This is fermented in barrel, with 30% new oak, with no skin contact, and no malolactic. I adore the nose here, which combines sweet orchard and citrus fruits, with a fine sense of minerality. The palate is as fresh and as lively as the nose suggests, with beautiful fruit, a modest pithy grip and a fresh cut of zippy acidity. A wonderful style with a great sense of balance and energy, and a long finish. This is surely one of the best examples of Aile d’Argent I have tasted; no malolactic and perhaps the older vines helps. The alcohol is 13.5%. Rating: 94-96 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (May 2024)

This is quite a big Pavillon Blanc with sliced pineapple, ripe apple, lemon and stone. It's full-bodied, layered and phenolic with a ripe sense to it, but then it’s citrusy and salty. Like freshThis is quite a big Pavillon Blanc with sliced pineapple, ripe apple, lemon and stone. It's full-bodied, layered and phenolic with a ripe sense to it, but then it’s citrusy and salty. Like fresh oysters. Reminds me of vintages from the 1980s, but with more freshness and clarity. 100% sauvignon blanc. Rating: 96-97 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)