Why it matters
The producer
The David family has operated Château Liots across multiple generations on the Barsac plateau. The estate makes sweet white wines under the Sauternes appellation, with Château Liot as its main label and Château du Levant as its secondary label. Sémillon leads the plantings, with Sauvignon and Muscadelle alongside it.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Red clay rests on broken limestone beneath the plateau. Clay holds water, while broken limestone allows drainage. Sauternes is an appellation for sweet white wine, and noble rot concentrates grape juice as water leaves the grapes, increasing sugar and flavour. The ground and the appellation both support wines built around sweetness and freshness.
Wines to know
The range in view
Château Liot is the main label. Its estate planting is 80% Sémillon, 15% Sauvignon and 5% Muscadelle. The wine has fresh mirabelle plum and citrus alongside honey, passion fruit and candied apricot.
Château du Levant 2023 is the secondary label. Its listed composition is 85% Sémillon, 10% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle. The wine is very sweet and fresh, with pineapple, saffron, dried apricot, honey and orange marmalade. Its palate is powerful, balanced, lively and fruity.