Bastor-Lamontagne: Tasting & Drinking
I have little real experience with the second wines, or indeed any of the other sweet wines made here, including Caprice and So Sauternes, and my comments really pertain to the grand vin of this estate. On the whole I find the wine to be solid, fresh rather than rich or luscious, and fairly dependable provided this is the sort of style that appeals to you.
Other vintages tasted since my early encounter with the 1986 have all matched this description, although the 2007 and 2009 both displayed a step up in terms of weight, substance and texture which to my palate was impressive, and it may be that other very successful vintages for the region where I have not had the opportunity to assess the wine of Château Bastor-Lamontagne, such as 2001, have produced a similarly good result. For my palate it is a wine best explored in richer vintages, where a touch more residual sugar in the wine does much to balance out the trademark citrus-acid backbone of the wine. Having said that, the 2020 vintage – not a sterling vintage for the region – was one of the most exciting vintages I have tasted here in years. The 2021 was even better. Is this a sign of a new direction, I wonder? I hope so.
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