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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.

1970 Château La Tour-Blanche

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; very top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

1970 Château La Tour-Blanche

Light capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill

1970 Château Guiraud

Light capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

2001 Château Rieussec

375ml

Light label condition issue

WS  100   
DE  *****   
RP  99   
ST  95   
WA  93   
JR  18.5   
WS  #1 of 2004   

1970 Château Guiraud

Capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; very top shoulder fill; label condition issue

1970 Château Guiraud

Capsule condition issue; base neck fill; label condition issue

1983 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey

Lightly depressed cork; signs of past seepage; base neck fill; label condition issue

WS  91   
MB  ****   

1983 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey

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

WS  91   
MB  ****   

1971 Château Coutet

Capsule condition issue; top shoulder fill; label condition issue

1989 Château Rieussec

Light label condition issue

RP  92   
ST  92   

1970 Château Coutet

Capsule condition issue; base neck fill; label condition issue

MB  ***   

1971 Château Suduiraut

Lightly elevated cork; light signs of past seepage; light label condition issue

2005 Château Climens

Base neck fill; light label condition issue

RP  97   
WS  95   
ST  94+    
JR  18.5+    

1970 Château Coutet

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

MB  ***   

2014 Château Rieussec

Light label condition issue

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

2014 Château Rieussec

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

1986 Chateau de la Chartreuse

Lightly depressed cork; signs of past seepage; very top shoulder fill; heavy label condition issue

1999 Château Suduiraut

Light label condition issue

ST  92   
MB  ****   

1983 Château Rieussec

375ml

Depressed cork; top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

WS  94   
RP  92   
JR  18   

1990 Château Guiraud

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

WS  96   
RP  91   

1990 Château Guiraud

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

WS  96   
RP  91   

1990 Château Guiraud

Capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; signs of past seepage

WS  96   
RP  91   

1986 Château Guiraud

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

WS  93   
RP  92   

1986 Château Guiraud

Light capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork; base neck fill; light label condition issue

WS  93   
RP  92   

2015 Château Coutet

Light label condition issue

WE  96   
JD  96   
WA  95   
WS  95   
VN  95   
JS  94   
JR  17