CHATEAU D'YQUEM 2006 SATUERNES
ROBERT PARKER 96-98 POINTS:"While no surprise here, this wine, which will be bottled in 2009, is certainly this estate’s greatest effort since their 2001. It completely outclasses everything from the appellation, but even when you’re number one, that’s often hard to do. This light gold wine offers up a sensational smorgasbord of aromas including huge honeyed pineapple and other caramelized tropical fruit flavors, massive richness, and a viscous, unctuous texture with the oak beautifully integrated. The wine has enough acidity to buttress its full-bodied mouthfeel, but this is not by any means the sweetest or most alcoholic of the d’Yquems I have tasted. In fact, in the range of d’Yquems, this is a powerful wine, but it is one built more on finesse and elegance, a la the 1988. Nevertheless, this wine will prove to have 50+ years of longevity. The finish, the mid-palate, the sensation of looking at a skyscraper of Semillon with a small dosage of Sauvignon, is impressive. Like all of the sweet wines of Barsac and Sauternes, one can drink this young, but the nuances and complexities really don’t emerge for at least a decade, especially in the case of a wine such as this. Bravo!"
CHATEAU LAURES 09 BORDEAUX BLANC ENTRE DUEX MERS
The wine is extremely aromatis, with a nose combining apricots, citrus flavors and exotic notes. On the palate the wine is very lively, fresh and full of fruit, with balancing acidity. The finish is long and has a nice bite. A delightful wine which will serve well as an aperitif, but will also make a perfect accompaniment to seafood, lobster and many types of fish. It would also go well with creamy types of cheese.
CHATEUA LA RAME 2008 BORDEAUX BLANC
Welcome back to an old friend! La Rame has graced our cover twice in the past as a Wine-of-the-Month selection and they are back with a superb 2008! Outstanding juice for the price! Sauvignon Blanc and seafood lovers take heed!
CHATEAU CLIMENS 2005 BARSAC WINE SPECTATOR 95 POINTS - "Toffee, dried lemon rind and tropical fruit on the nose. Full-bodied and very sweet, with a dense palate of candied fruit and a long, sweet finish. Very concentrated. The botrytis spice creeps up on the finish. Best after 2013."
COUTET 05 SAUTERNES (WS 91)
ROBERT PARKER 92 +
Spice, dried pineapple, honey and light apricot aromas, like freshly crushed grapes. Full-bodied and very sweet, with masses of crushed fruit character and a long finish. Best after 2010. 4,165 cases made. (WINE SPECTATOR 91)
CHATEAU DE MALLE 2005 SAUTERNES 375ML
WS 92pts. - According to the Wine Spectator: Green apple, toffee and lemon tart aromas open to a full body. Very sweet, with caramel, cooked apple and light vanilla flavors. Long and flavorful. Dense and sweet. Best after 2009. 3,330 cases made
DOISY DAENE 05 BARSAC 750 WINE SPECTATOR 92
Masses of crushed grape, honey and hints of clove and nutmeg. Full-bodied, very sweet and very lively, with lots of acidity and spicy fruit. Long and flavorful, with loads of passion fruit flavor. Best after 2012. 3,750 cases made.
CHATEAU GILETTE 83 "CREME DE TETE" SAUTERNES
This little-known, tiny estate quietly produces some of Sauternes’ most compelling wines! Yes, the 1983 “Créme Tête” is their current release! It arrived to our shelves this past spring. In a world governed by harsh commercial realities, the estate’s owner, Christian Medeville, has taken a contrarian stand and will only release his wines when he feels that they have been aged enough and are ready for consumption. This honeyed, caramel custard delight arrives to us from the superb 1983 vintage! It should not be missed by Sauternes or dessert wine aficionados! Also available in half bottles.
LA FREYNELLE 2009 BORDEAUX BLANC
60% SAUVIGON BLANC 40% SEMILLION
This delightful blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon was made from 25-year-old vines by Veronique Barthe. Her family has owned Château La Freynelle, located in the Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux, since 1789. This white has a lovely bouquet of white peaches with a hint of lemon peel. In the mouth the wine is round and flavorful and it has a long, smooth dry finish. This will be perfect with or without food on a hot summer afternoon!
SAUTERNES RAYMOND-LAFON 2003 SAUTERNES ROBERT PARKER 91-95 POINTS - "The 2003s appear to be somewhat in the style of the 1990s, with high levels of residual sugar (higher than 2001 for the most part) as well as botrytis, low acidity, and fat, full-bodied personalities. This region's harvest began extremely early (early September), and was completely finished within three weeks. It does not appear that the nobleness and racy richness of the 2001 vintage will be found in the 2003s, but readers who like the big, flamboyant, over the top style of the 1990s will enjoy the 2003s even more than I did."
SAUTERNES RAYMOND-LAFON 2003 SAUTERNES WA 91-95
Candied lemon peel, zesty green cantaloupe rind, golden raisin, white fig, peach, hard limestone mineral and just enough hint of hint of parrafin oil for a bit of added character.
CHATEAU RIEUSSEC 2001 SAUTERNES
WINE ADVOCATE 99
A monumental effort, the 2001 Rieussec boasts a light to medium gold color in addition to a fabulous perfume of honeysuckle, smoky oak, caramelized tropical fruits, creme brulee, and Grand Marnier. The wine is massive and full-bodied yet neither over the top nor heavy because of good acidity. With intense botrytis as well as a 70-75-second finish, this amazing Sauternes will be its apogee between 2010-2035.
RIEUSSEC 2005 SAUTERNES (WS 95-100)
Wine Spectator 96 points
"Shows enticing aromas of toffee, cream, dried apricot and caramel. Full-bodied, very sweet and thick, with honey and caramel flavors. Long and rich, oozing with sweet, ripe fruit, this is like liquid candy. Best after 2016." –JS
SUDUIRAUT 2001 SAUTERNES WINE ADVOCATE 98
A prodigious effort, possibly the finest Suduiraut since 1959, the medium gold-colored 2001 offers notes of creme brulee, caramelized citrus, Grand Marnier, honeysuckle, and other exotic fruits as well as a pleasant touch of oak. With terrific acidity, a voluptuous/unctuous palate, and sweet, powerful flavors buttressed by crisp acidity, it is a phenomenal Sauternes. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2040.
SUDUIRAUT 2001 SAUTERNES WINE ADVOCATE 99
A prodigious effort, possibly the finest Suduiraut since 1959, the medium gold-colored 2001 offers notes of creme brulee, caramelized citrus, Grand Marnier, honeysuckle, and other exotic fruits as well as a pleasant touch of oak. With terrific acidity, a voluptuous/unctuous palate, and sweet, powerful flavors buttressed by crisp acidity, it is a phenomenal Sauternes. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2040.
CHATEAU SUDUIRAUT 05 SAUTERNES (WS 93] 375ML
Shows dried pineapple, honey, pear, caramel and piecrust aromas. Full-bodied and very sweet, with spice, coconut, tropical fruit and apple tart flavors. Long and dense, yet lively. Best after 2013. 6,500 cases made. –JS
CHATEAU SUDUIRAUT 2005 SAUTERNES (WS 93)
'Shows dried pineapple, honey, pear, caramel and piecrust aromas. Full-bodied and very sweet, with spice, coconut, tropical fruit and apple tart flavors. Long and dense, yet lively. Best after 2013. 6,500 cases made."
