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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.

1986 Château Rayne-Vigneau

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

WS  91   
RP  90   

1988 Château Rayne-Vigneau

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

RP  91   
WS  90   

1988 Château Rayne-Vigneau

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

RP  91   
WS  90   

1988 Château Rayne-Vigneau

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

RP  91   
WS  90   

1988 Château Rayne-Vigneau

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

RP  91   
WS  90   

1988 Château Rabaud-Promis

Light capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; base neck fill; light label condition issue

RP  93   
WS  93   
ST  90   
JR  17.5   

1988 Château Rabaud-Promis

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

RP  93   
WS  93   
ST  90   
JR  17.5   

2005 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey

JS  95   
WS  92   
WA  91   

2004 Château Climens

Light label condition issue

WS  92   
ST  89-91   

1997 Château Raymond-Lafon

2003 Château Suduiraut

375ml

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

RP  95   
WS  93   
ST  92   
JR  18   

1988 Château Guiraud

375ml

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

WA  90   

1988 Château Guiraud

375ml

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

WA  90   

2001 Château Raymond-Lafon

Lightly depressed cork

RP  93   

2011 Château Rieussec

375ml

Light label condition issue

VN  95   
WA  91-93   

2003 Château Guiraud

375ml

WS  95   
RP  94   
ST  92   
JR  16   
WS  #14 of 2006   

2003 Château De Malle

WS  92   
RP  91   
ST  91   

1997 Château Rayne-Vigneau

Light label condition issue

WS  93   

1996 Château Guiraud

Lightly depressed cork

RP  91   

2018 Château Doisy Vedrines

WE  95   
VN  93   
WS  91   
WA  90-92   
JS  90   
JR  16.5+    

1988 Château Lamothe Sauternes

2015 Château Guiraud

375ml

WS  95   
WE  95   
WA  94+    
JS  94   
VN  93   
JD  93   
JR  16.5+    

1986 Château Doisy Daene

375ml

Light capsule condition issue; top shoulder fill; heavy label condition issue

2001 Château Doisy Vedrines

375ml

Light label condition issue

WS  93   
ST  91+    
RP  89-91   

2012 Château Guiraud Petit Guiraud

375ml

Lightly elevated cork