2008 La Tour Blanche

Tasted single blind against its peers. The nose is reticent at first, but with continued aeration it reveals delineated scents of dried honey, quince, pressed flowers and an underlying minerality. The palate is very well-balanced with admirable tension and poise, and the finish shows 2008’s leitmotif of racy acidity that lends it freshness and vitality. This is very fine. Tasted January 2012.

Yellow-gold. High-toned aromas of honey, marzipan, spicy oak and fresh herbs, with a lively lemon zest quality emerging with air. Thick and saline in the mouth, but not especially fruity or high-pitched. Flavors of lemon oil, spicy oak, vanilla and honey dominate. Just a tad disorganized on the end, showing lemon and herbal notes that need time to harmonize.

Rich and peachy with lots of orange botrytis aromas. Broad and spicy and finishes rather abruptly but still with freshness. (JH)