While I wasn’t able to taste many Sauternes on this trip, the 2015 Château Bastor-Lamontagne is nevertheless a gem that had me looking for a bottle. This medium gold-colored beauty boasts terrific notes of orange marmalade, caramelized citrus, and toasty oak in a thick, opulent, unctuous style. It stays fresh and lively, but this beauty leads with its fruit.

Bitter orange aromas lead into lovely rich citrus coming in immediately on the palate. This estate is located close to Barsac, so has plenty of limestone to help lift and give a saline brush to the palate. The final impression is that this is not overly powerful, but is delicately rich, linear and intense without trying too hard. Read more at https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/bordeaux/chateau-bastor-lamontagne-sauternes-bordeaux-france-2015-3012#z28chgOxLd66YLJC.99

(WA91-93 points) The 2015 Bastor-Lamontagne has a pure, honeyed, acacia-tinged bouquet that soars from the glass. The palate is well balanced with a sensual, honeyed texture, well-judged acidity and a smooth, quite concentrated finish. This is one of the best wines that I have tasted from the estate in recent years. Chapeau! - Neal Martin

This is still on the tight side, with singed almond and macadamia nut notes surrounding a core of green fig, mirabelle plum, apricot and peach flavors. Loads of honey and candied lemon peel on the finish. Best from 2022 through 2042. — J.M.