Château La Tour Blanche

The figures who have shaped the destiny of La Tour Blanche are inextricably linked to its history. Each, in their own way, has contributed to making the estate one of the finest in Sauternes by taking risks, by being imaginative, by challenging conventional thinking, and by investing. These “prospectors of gold” - a description which is very fitting for Sauternes - have created their philosopher stones in the form of... golden nuggets. Foremost among these: Monsieur de Saint-Marc, Lord of La Tour Blanche. We could go much further back in time, but the original small chartreuse that became a château starts to get slightly lost among the various notarial deeds and other archives. But we need to start somewhere, and Monsieur de Saint-Marc, Lord of La Tour Blanche – who would give the domaine its name – is a good starting point. This was back in the mid-17th century. Saint-Marc was a clerk at the Court of the Parliament of Bordeaux. As he had considerable financial means at his disposal, he was able to transform the vineyards and their humble dwelling into a fine-looking château, even having a tower built to justify the name!

The Sauternes Appellation covers nearly 2,000 hectares in the five villages of Barsac, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac, and Sauternes.

This wine-producing region offers visitors an undulating landscape where its gently sloping hillsides seem to be complacently exposed to the sunlight. This is why Chateau La Tour Blanche, along with most of the classified growths («Crus Classés») of the appellation, is situated on a fine hilltop position, 60m above sea level. This advantageous position facilitates the best possible exposure to the sun, optimal drainage of the land, and specific soils. All of those give wines their special character. Indeed, this alluvial land (deposits originating from the Garonne) is made up of a gravelly surface soil and an argillaceous-calcareous substratum.

The three traditional grape varieties of the Sauternes A.O.C. are Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle. At Chateau La Tour Blanche, they are planted in the right proportions: 83% Sémillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc, and 5% Muscadelle. Each grape variety provides the wine with its own specific qualities and characteristics, in a harmonious and always unique blend. Semillon gives the wine its golden colour and its specific dry fruits, candied fruits, and honey aroma.