(2023) The main difference between this wine and the 'Grand Ardeche' Chardonnay is that this cuvée sees no oak, spending 10 months in stainless steel before release. Full malolactic has given this plenty of creaminess and a light oatmeal sheen. In the mouth the fruit is super ripe and sweet; the sweetness actually detracts for me, making this rather cloying before a blast of acidity that really doesn't sit very elegantly in the picture. Sorry Louis Latour, but not my favourite of your normally very reliable white wines. Costco members can buy for £11.15 at time of review.
(2023) Unlike the regular Ardeche Chardonnay, the 'Grand' is fermented in oak barrels and spend a further 10 months in barrels, 20% new. The nose suggest toasted almonds and sesame seeds over ripe yellow apple, though the toasty oak and full malolactic does mark the wine quite noticeably. The mouth fills with a fruit ripeness and richness that would rarely be found in Burgundy, but the wine has clarity and presence too, with good citrus acidity and the creaminess of texture. Quite a bitter almond bite on the finish, perhaps suggesting this would be best with food. £14.99 as part of a mixed six at Majestic.
(2017) Burgundian know-how from the south of France, with Latour's well-established Ardèche outpost. Fruit is sourced from around 100 local growers and vinified at Latour's winery in the region, and although unoaked it is aged with fine lees in steel for 10 months. It is essentially crisp and elegant in style, a trace of mealiness to the pristine orchard fruit aromas. The palate is juicy, elegant and bone dry, juicy with a squirt of citrus cleansing the palate.
(2016) Creamy and verging on the tropical, with lots of fruit sweetness and richness on the palate, juicy with orange and ripe juicy apples, a strong lemony punch of acidity.
(2015) Burgundy's Louis Latour has been making very good Chardonnay and Pinot down in the Ardèche for many years, and after a complexing little whiff of fresh struck match or flint, this has a green and figgy character and is quite inviting. In the mouth it is cool and savoury stuff. If it has seen any oak it must be old barrels as there's no toast or vanilla, but there is a hint of fat and openness, and lots of punchy acidity. Rather nice really.
(2010) 12.7% ABV, cork. 50% Grenache with Cinsault and Syrah, this comes from a vineyard in conversion to organic and biodynamic certification and from 35-year-old vines. It has a vibrant but delicate colour and a gently herbal nose, with a soft undertow of peach and strawberry fruit. On the palate it has lovely fruit; soft and caressing, yet with a freshness and little edge of grip. Good acidity too in a dry, food-friendly yet summery style.
(2005) There's a pleasant nutty, oatmeally richness here, with honey and delicate peach and apricot aroma. On the palate it has crisp orchard fruits and a rich, mouthfilling texture. The charry oak notes fill in on the finish, but then a good quality of quite mineral acidity freshens the picture.
(2001) Has that nutty, whiskey-barrel, brazil nut layering of oak over sweet, thick fruit. Powerful palate, where a background of toastiness frames lemon fruit and plenty of spice in the finish. Large-scaled and lots of character.
(1997) Medium purple colour. Jammy, raspberry fruit on nose. No body, rather mean finish.
