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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.

1943 Château d'Yquem

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

MB  *****   

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   

1986 Château d'Yquem

Light capsule condition issue; top shoulder fill

RP  98   
WS  95   
JR  17.5   

1986 Château d'Yquem

Light capsule condition issue; very top shoulder fill

RP  98   
WS  95   
JR  17.5   

1989 Château d'Yquem

375ml

RP  97   
WS  97   
ST  97   
JR  19   
MB  ****/*   

1995 Château d'Yquem

Lightly elevated cork

WA  95   
JR  18.5   
MB  ***/*   

1998 Château d'Yquem

Lightly elevated cork; light label condition issue

ST  95   
RP  91   
JR  18   

1998 Château d'Yquem

Light label condition issue

ST  95   
RP  91   
JR  18   

2001 Château d'Yquem

375ml

Lightly elevated cork

RP  100   
WS  100   
JS  100   
JR  19.5   
CT  97.8   
WS  #10 of 2005   

2001 Château d'Yquem

375ml

Light label condition issue

RP  100   
WS  100   
JS  100   
JR  19.5   
CT  97.8   
WS  #10 of 2005   

2005 Château d'Yquem

375ml

WA  97   
WS  97   
JS  95   
JR  18.5   

2019 Château d'Yquem

VN  95+    
JR  17   

1988 Château Rieussec

375ml

Light label condition issue

RP  94   
WS  94   
ST  90   

1989 Château Rieussec

Light label condition issue

RP  92   
ST  92   

2001 Château Rieussec

375ml

Light label condition issue

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

2009 Château Rieussec

JS  98   
WA  97   
VN  97   
WS  95   
CT  93.9   
JR  18   

2011 Château Rieussec

375ml

Light label condition issue

VN  95   
WA  91-93   

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   

2015 Château Rieussec

JS  99   
WA  96+    
WE  96   
WS  94   
VN  94   
JR  18.5   

1999 Château Suduiraut

Light label condition issue

ST  92   
MB  ****   

2003 Château Suduiraut

375ml

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

RP  95   
WS  93   
ST  92   
JR  18   

2013 Château Suduiraut

375ml

Light label condition issue

WA  93-95   
VN  92   
JR  17   

2015 Château Suduiraut

375ml

JD  99   
VN  97   
WA  95-97