Dry Whites

Real density to this old-vine white with dried-apple, peach and stone character. It’s full and dense but always vivid. I love the phenolics here. Fantastic dry white. From 40- to 60-year-old vines.Real density to this old-vine white with dried-apple, peach and stone character. It’s full and dense but always vivid. I love the phenolics here. Fantastic dry white. From 40- to 60-year-old vines. 57% semillon and 43% sauvignon blanc. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

The density and beauty to this is so attractive, with a lush and flavorful character, yet it’s neatly framed by acidity and minerally undertones. Lively and salty. Part of the vineyard is onThe density and beauty to this is so attractive, with a lush and flavorful character, yet it’s neatly framed by acidity and minerally undertones. Lively and salty. Part of the vineyard is on limestone, which gives that sea-salt undertone. Savory. Fresh at the end. 50% sauvignon blanc, 44.5% semillon, 5% sauvignon gris and 0.5% muscadelle. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

A blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Sémillon, the 2023 Les Arums de Lagrange evokes aromas of confit citrus, herbs, white flowers and grapefruit, followed by a medium-bodied, fresh and livelyA blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Sémillon, the 2023 Les Arums de Lagrange evokes aromas of confit citrus, herbs, white flowers and grapefruit, followed by a medium-bodied, fresh and lively palate that segues into a mouthwatering, delicate finish. Despite this varietal-inflected style, this is a great effort. It has a pH of 3.2 and 13.3% alcohol. Drinking range: 2024 - 2030 Rating: 87-89 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)

This is 81% Sauvignon Blanc, higher than usual which reflects a good yield for this variety, with 11% Semillon and 8% Muscadelle, the harvest starting August 31st and continuing for one week. It isThis is 81% Sauvignon Blanc, higher than usual which reflects a good yield for this variety, with 11% Semillon and 8% Muscadelle, the harvest starting August 31st and continuing for one week. It is vinified 80% in oak barrels, one-third new, with 20% in stainless steel. After that there was no racking, with less bâtonnage. The wine was bottled three weeks ago. A ripe and exotic nose, of melon, confit pear, acacia and crushed chalk. This continues on the palate, although it feels rather softly framed, with lightly confit fruits over a grained phenolic grip and fresh acidity. It finishes solid and grippy, and given the acidity and early picking here I would have hoped for a little more definition and zip. The alcohol is 13.2% on analysis. Rating: 90 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (May 2024)

The 2023 Pavillon Blanc from Château Margaux, harvested during the morning hours of the August 23-30 heatwave, possesses a deep, complex bouquet of spring flowers, lemon oil, ripe orchard fruits,The 2023 Pavillon Blanc from Château Margaux, harvested during the morning hours of the August 23-30 heatwave, possesses a deep, complex bouquet of spring flowers, lemon oil, ripe orchard fruits, lemongrass and sweet gooseberries, followed by a medium to full-bodied, round and concentrated palate that's animated by lively acids, concluding with a long, taut, delicately phenolic finish. This bottling amounts to only 45% of the entire crop, the rest being relegated to a second wine. Drinking range: 2025 - 2055 Rating: 93-95 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)

This is quite a big Pavillon Blanc with sliced pineapple, ripe apple, lemon and stone. It's full-bodied, layered and phenolic with a ripe sense to it, but then it’s citrusy and salty. Like freshThis is quite a big Pavillon Blanc with sliced pineapple, ripe apple, lemon and stone. It's full-bodied, layered and phenolic with a ripe sense to it, but then it’s citrusy and salty. Like fresh oysters. Reminds me of vintages from the 1980s, but with more freshness and clarity. 100% sauvignon blanc. Rating: 96-97 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

This is very focused, with good energy and nervy acidity. Medium-bodied with vibrant citrus fruit and crunchy minerality. Firm and tense finish.This is very focused, with good energy and nervy acidity. Medium-bodied with vibrant citrus fruit and crunchy minerality. Firm and tense finish. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

The 2023 Haut-Brion Blanc is a quiet, restrained white. Pear, mint, white pepper and crushed rocks are all beautifully sketched, its mineral character emerging with time. The 2023 is not an obviousThe 2023 Haut-Brion Blanc is a quiet, restrained white. Pear, mint, white pepper and crushed rocks are all beautifully sketched, its mineral character emerging with time. The 2023 is not an obvious wine, initially quite aromatic but less expressive on the palate. The long, sustained finish takes things to another level. Complex and dynamic, the 2023 grows over time, hinting at an exceptionally brilliant future. Drinking range: 2028 - 2043 Rating: 93-96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

The blend here is 65.3% Sauvignon Blanc with 347% Semillon, the third time Sauvignon Blanc has come to dominate the blend in recent years, not the norm as the vineyard is dominated by Semillon. TheThe blend here is 65.3% Sauvignon Blanc with 347% Semillon, the third time Sauvignon Blanc has come to dominate the blend in recent years, not the norm as the vineyard is dominated by Semillon. The picking of the Sauvignon came at the end of one of the year’s mini-heatwaves, and on tasting the fruit was felt to lack some balance, hence more went into the second wine. A lively expression on the nose, with scents of lemon peel, chamomile, crushed chalk and pine needle, all very classic. After that nose the palate is just as lively as I had hoped, with a delicious sense of direction, carrying plentiful lemon, pear and melon fruits, but with a bright and breezy acidity to keep it moving along. Long and charged, this is a delicious, minerally, chalky white. Top work! The alcohol is 13.9%. Rating: 94-96 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

The 2023 Latour-Martillac Blanc is a tense, steel dry white. Lemon peel, chalk, white pepper, sage, mint and crushed rocks lend brightness and energy. I like the vibrancy here, but I just wish thereThe 2023 Latour-Martillac Blanc is a tense, steel dry white. Lemon peel, chalk, white pepper, sage, mint and crushed rocks lend brightness and energy. I like the vibrancy here, but I just wish there was a bit more mid-palate creaminess. At this stage, the Blanc is a bit austere. Tasted two times. Drinking range: 2027 - 2035 Rating: 89-91 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

The 2023 Malartic-Lagravière Blanc is a seriously beautiful wine. Explosive aromatics meld into a core of orchard and citrus fruits. Bright acids pull it all together. I especially admire the wine'sThe 2023 Malartic-Lagravière Blanc is a seriously beautiful wine. Explosive aromatics meld into a core of orchard and citrus fruits. Bright acids pull it all together. I especially admire the wine's inner perfume and balance. This is one of the better dry whites of the year. A kiss of French oak lingers. Tasted two times. Drinking range: 2025 - 2033 Rating: 92-94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Distinctive as ever, right at the top of what Pessac Léognan Blanc can deliver. Structured, fleshy white peach and pear, waves of salted cracker and sage, creamy texture, great length, just aDistinctive as ever, right at the top of what Pessac Léognan Blanc can deliver. Structured, fleshy white peach and pear, waves of salted cracker and sage, creamy texture, great length, just a brilliant wine. A buy. Drinking range: 2025 - 2038 Rating: 98 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

The grand vin in white from Olivier Bernard and team is 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon, taking 64% of the crop this year, the fruit having been cropped at 45 hl/ha, a handsome yield althoughThe grand vin in white from Olivier Bernard and team is 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon, taking 64% of the crop this year, the fruit having been cropped at 45 hl/ha, a handsome yield although below the average for the appellation which was 50 hl/ha. An intense, beautifully focused nose, with powdered chalk, lemon peel, white peach, chamomile and mint, pure with a saline-mineral thread. The palate is hugely convincing, with rich phenolic veins underpinning layers of white peach, preserved lemon and mint, with a lovely grip to it, and fresh acidity too. It has supple integration and drive, and super potential. A wine of pure joy, and there is nothing wrong with that, but it also has the phenolic bite and acid freshness to develop with age. Excellent potential. Tasted three times. The alcohol is around 13.5%. Rating: 95-97 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

As usual, a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon matured 50% in new oak, the 2023 Le Petit Haut Lafitte Blanc offers up aromas of spring flowers, citrus, lime tree leaves and menthol.As usual, a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon matured 50% in new oak, the 2023 Le Petit Haut Lafitte Blanc offers up aromas of spring flowers, citrus, lime tree leaves and menthol. Medium-bodied, satiny and round, it’s satiny with a fleshy core of fruit, bright acids and an elegant, ethereal finish enhanced by gastronomic bitterness. It will offer a broad drinking window. Drinking range: 2025 - 2040 Rating: 90-93 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)