Château Bastor-Lamontagne, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France, 2015

Unlike some other 2015s, this Sauternes shows absolutely no bitterness; it's rich round and sweet, with hints of marmalade botrytis. More dense and pure than some recent vintages. About 90% Sémillon with 10% Sauvignons Blanc and Gris, but it doesn’t have the terroir to give the richness of other properties. Still, a delicious wine, from grapes picked over five tries, but mainly made from the fruit of the second and third passes.

Bitter orange aromas lead into lovely rich citrus coming in immediately on the palate. This estate is located close to Barsac, so has plenty of limestone to help lift and give a saline brush to the palate. The final impression is that this is not overly powerful, but is delicately rich, linear and intense without trying too hard.