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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.

1983 Château Rieussec

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

WS  94   
RP  92   
JR  18   

2001 Château De Fargues

RP  94-96   

1995 Château d'Yquem

Lightly elevated cork

WA  95   
JR  18.5   
MB  ***/*   

1995 Château d'Yquem

Lightly depressed cork

WA  95   
JR  18.5   
MB  ***/*   

1995 Château d'Yquem

WA  95   
JR  18.5   
MB  ***/*   

2007 Château Rayne-Vigneau

WA  95   
WS  92   
ST  89-92   
JR  17   

2014 Château Rieussec

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

1983 Château Climens

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

WS  95   
RP  92   

1990 Château Guiraud

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

WS  96   
RP  91   

1986 Château Climens

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

RP  96   
WS  94   
JR  18   

2015 Château Coutet

Light label condition issue

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

1976 Château d'Yquem

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

RP  96   
WS  96   
JR  18.5   

1971 Château d'Yquem

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

WA  97   
WS  93   
JR  16   
MB  ****   

1971 Château d'Yquem

Light capsule condition issue; base neck fill; light label condition issue

WA  97   
WS  93   
JR  16   
MB  ****   

1986 Château d'Yquem

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

RP  98   
WS  95   
JR  17.5   

1990 Château d'Yquem

Elevated cork; light label condition issue

RP  99   
WS  95   
CT  95.4   
ST  94   
JR  18   

1990 Château d'Yquem

RP  99   
WS  95   
CT  95.4   
ST  94   
JR  18   

2001 Château Doisy Daene Cuvee L'Extravagant

375ml

WS  100   
RP  98