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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.

2003 Château Rieussec

Base neck fill; light label condition issue

RP  96   
WS  95   
ST  92-95   
JR  17   

2003 Château Rieussec

Light label condition issue

RP  96   
WS  95   
ST  92-95   
JR  17   

2003 Château Rieussec

Light label condition issue

RP  96   
WS  95   
ST  92-95   
JR  17   

1983 Château Suduiraut

375ml

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

MB  ***   

1983 Château Suduiraut

375ml

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

MB  ***   

2005 Château Suduiraut

WS  93   
ST  92   
JR  18   

1989 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey

Light capsule condition issue; label condition issue

WS  94   

1989 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey

Light label condition issue

WS  94   

2001 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey

JS  96   
WS  95   
ST  93   
WA  92   
JR  17   

2001 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey

Light capsule condition issue

JS  96   
WS  95   
ST  93   
WA  92   
JR  17   

2003 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey

Light label condition issue

WS  97   
JS  97   
WA  93   
ST  92   
JR  17   
WS  #6 of 2006   

2003 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey

WS  97   
JS  97   
WA  93   
ST  92   
JR  17   
WS  #6 of 2006   

2003 Château Guiraud

375ml

Light label condition issue

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

2001 Château La Tour-Blanche

RP  97   
WS  93   
ST  92+    
JR  17   

2005 Château Doisy Daene

WA  94   
WS  92   
RP  91   
JR  16   

2014 Château Doisy Vedrines

WS  95   
VN  95   
WE  95   
WA  94-96   
JR  17   

1986 Château Rayne-Vigneau

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

WS  91   
RP  90   

1986 Château Bastor-Lamontagne

Capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork; base neck fill; label condition issue

1971 Château Voigny

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

1989 Château Mayne des Carmes

Light label condition issue