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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  ***   

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   

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  ***/*   

2000 Château d'Yquem

WA  90   
JR  17   

2016 Château d'Yquem

JS  99   
JD  99   
WA  98+    
WS  94   
VN  93+    
JR  18   
2 available
Bid *

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; signs of past seepage; light label condition issue

WS  94   
RP  92   
JR  18   
2 available
Bid *

1983 Château Rieussec

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

WS  94   
RP  92   
JR  18   
2 available
Bid *

1983 Château Rieussec

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

WS  94   
RP  92   
JR  18   

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   

1989 Château Rieussec

Light label condition issue

RP  92   
ST  92   
2 available
Bid *

1989 Château Rieussec

RP  92   
ST  92   

2005 Château Rieussec

Light label condition issue

RP  96   
WS  96   
ST  93   
JS  93   
2 available
Bid *

2009 Château Rieussec

JS  98   
WA  97   
VN  97   
WS  95   
CT  93.9   
JR  18   
2 available
Bid *

2009 Château Rieussec

Light label condition issue

JS  98   
WA  97   
VN  97   
WS  95   
CT  93.9   
JR  18   
2 available
Bid *

2011 Château Rieussec

Light label condition issue

VN  95   
WA  91-93   
2 available
Bid *

2014 Château Rieussec

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

1971 Château Suduiraut

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

2009 Château Suduiraut

WA  98   
VN  98   
WS  96   
JS  96   
JR  18.5   
5 available
Bid *

1970 Château Guiraud

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