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Sauternes

Sauternes makes the world’s most famous dessert wines. Though the appellation lies within the Graves region of Bordeaux’s left bank, the appellation makes only sweet wines from white grapes, primarily Semillon sometimes blended with small amounts of Muscadelle. The five communes within Sauternes are Barsac, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac and Sauternes. Barsac also has its own appellation and, typically, Barsac wines are slightly drier and lighter than other Sauternes. Sauternes are made when weather conditions result in a mold called Botrytis cinerea developing on the grapes, which causes them to become especially sweet. Sauternes are not produced every vintage, so successful vintages become especially collectible. Sauternes estates were classified in 1855, and Château d’Yquem, the appellation’s most prestigious estate, was ranked in a class by itself as a Premier Grand Cru. Château d’Yquem wines are among the most prized wines in the world.

1961 Château d'Yquem

Capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork; signs of past seepage; very top shoulder fill; label condition issue

MB  ***   

1970 Château d'Yquem

375ml

Light capsule condition issue; very top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

RP  90   
JR  17   
MB  ***   

1976 Château d'Yquem

375ml

Light capsule condition issue; very top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

RP  96   
WS  96   
JR  18.5   

1986 Château d'Yquem

Lightly elevated cork; base neck fill

RP  98   
WS  95   
JR  17.5   

1986 Château d'Yquem

Elevated cork; light signs of past seepage; very top shoulder fill

RP  98   
WS  95   
JR  17.5   

1988 Château d'Yquem

RP  99   
JR  19.5   
WS  94   

1989 Château d'Yquem

RP  97   
WS  97   
ST  97   
JR  19   
MB  ****/*   

1990 Château d'Yquem

RP  99   
WS  95   
CT  95.4   
ST  94   
JR  18   

1990 Château d'Yquem

Elevated cork; light label condition issue

RP  99   
WS  95   
CT  95.4   
ST  94   
JR  18   

1995 Château d'Yquem

Lightly depressed cork

WA  95   
JR  18.5   
MB  ***/*   

1995 Château d'Yquem

WA  95   
JR  18.5   
MB  ***/*   

1995 Château d'Yquem

Lightly elevated cork

WA  95   
JR  18.5   
MB  ***/*   

1998 Château d'Yquem

Light label condition issue

ST  95   
RP  91   
JR  18   

2000 Château d'Yquem

WA  90   
JR  17   

2001 Château d'Yquem

375ml

Lightly elevated cork

RP  100   
WS  100   
JS  100   
JR  19.5   
CT  97.8   
WS  #10 of 2005   

2001 Château d'Yquem

375ml

Light label condition issue

RP  100   
WS  100   
JS  100   
JR  19.5   
CT  97.8   
WS  #10 of 2005   

2019 Château d'Yquem

375ml

VN  95+    
JR  17   

2019 Château d'Yquem

VN  95+    
JR  17   

2020 Château d'Yquem

375ml

VN  97   
WS  95   
WA  94   
JR  17   

1971 Château Rieussec

Capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; very top shoulder fill; label condition issue

1971 Château Rieussec

Capsule condition issue; very top shoulder fill; label condition issue

1983 Château Rieussec

Light capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork; light label condition issue

WS  94   
RP  92   
JR  18   

1983 Château Rieussec

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; signs of past seepage; light label condition issue

WS  94   
RP  92   
JR  18   

2010 Château Rieussec

Light label condition issue

JS  95-96   
WS  93-96   
VN  92-94   
WA  90-92   
JR  17+    

2014 Château Rieussec

Light label condition issue

WA  95-97   
JS  95   
VN  94   
WE  94   
JR  17