Château Laville Château Laville Sauternes Review
There was a creaminess and a complexity that floated around my mouth with this viscous wine. The orange/tangerine marmalade dream was accompanied by butterscotch and honey.
Wine review by: Jessyca Frederick |
FYI: I find great wine deals so you don’t have to. To keep me on the hunt, I earn a commission when you buy wine based on my recommendations.
About this Wine
Wine: 2019 Château Laville Sauternes
Blend: 85% Sémillon, 13% Sauvignon Blanc, 2% Muscadelle
Region: Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
Retail price: $44
Wine Access price: $44
Decanter score: 97 points (Decanter World Wine Awards)
I consumed it: March 2023
My source: The Decanter Magazine Wine Club by Wine Access
The Back Label
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Discover More
From this wine club: The Decanter Magazine Wine Club by Wine Access
From this winery: Château Laville
Region: Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
Grape variety or blend: White blends
Tasting notes: Creamy, Marmalade, Butterscotch, Honey
Other characteristics: Dessert wine
Château Laville Sauternes: What I think
Sauternes can be expensive (the most expensive wine ever sold in the world is from Château d’Yquem). Dessert wine feels unapproachable (who wants to drink something made from a fungus called “the noble rot?”). And yet, for the bold lover of wine adventure, Sauternes can be an affordable luxury to delight the senses and boggle the mind.
Case in point, this 2019 Château Laville. Just wow. From the moment we opened this bottle containing orange-colored and even orange-smelling wine (not the same as the “orange wine” fad), I knew we were in for something different. The nose was sweet (expected, given the region) and I could smell oxidation (expected, given the color), along with something floral, and petrol.
There was a creaminess and a complexity that floated around my mouth with this viscous wine. Eventually the source of the orange nose was sussed out — bitter orange marmalade. The orange/tangerine marmalade dream was accompanied by butterscotch and honey.
Sometimes when I receive great wines from Wine Access, I wish I received two of each — one to sample now (because that’s my job) and one to lay down for later so I can learn how these amazing selections evolve. This was definitely one of those wines.
Last updated: August 3, 2023
Notice: I hold no formal wine credentials. I am a wine geek who has consumed 1000+ of bottles from 100+ different wine clubs and 1000s more bottles that didn’t come from those wine clubs. I do not accept payment for wine reviews, and I do not accept payments to influence my opinions. I happily accept free wine (and I buy wine).
Why read my wine reviews: Wine taste is subjective. What I like may not be what you like. I try to leave room for you to form your own opinions, so I don’t provide a score or a rating. I do point out wines that are an incredible value or truly not worth the money. I note flaws, wines that don’t have typicity (because this matters if you are buying wine without having tasted it yourself), when wines are out of balance, and when wines lack appropriate body.
I don’t like wasting money (or anything for that matter). I’m careful about where I spend my money and my mindset as a reviewer is to be careful about where you spend yours. I don’t believe a high price tag equals quality and I know for sure there are wines of very good quality that are also a great value.
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