SAUTERNES/BARSAC · LEFT BANK

Sauternes is where arguably the word's finest sweet white wines are produced. The Sauternes appellation actually consists of 5 communes; Barsac, Preignac, Bommes, Fargues and Sauternes itself. Barsac is also an appellation in its own right. Sauternes literally has an atmosphere different from any of the other major communes. At the southern tip of the Graves, close to the Garonne, not only is the land hillier and decidedly more bucolic, but it also enjoys a specific mesoclimate of evening autumn mists which linger until well into the following day unless burnt off by warm sunshine. The mists are caused by the cool spring-fed waters of the Ciron River meeting the warmer tidal Garonne and the result is an ideal environment for the growth of the mould botrytis cinerea. When its arrival is felicitous, it feeds on the water in the ripe grapes, dehydrating them and leaving sweet, shriveled fruit. Barsac has marginally flatter land and soils of red sand and light gravels, and the Barsac commune adjoins the northern boundary of the commune of Sauternes, separated by the Ciron river, whose cold waters are so instrumental in producing the region's necessary autumn fogs. There are just over 800 hectares under vine, producing nearly two million bottles in an average year. The châteaux's can choose to sell their wine under either the Sauternes or the Barsac appellation but stylistically the wines are arguably a little lighter in style than those of Sauternes.

2020 CHÂTEAU GUIRAUD GRAND VIN BLANC
· SAUTERNES AOC  2ND WINE
· CERTIFIED ORGANIC (2011)
+870796 · 6x750ml
Website

70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Semillon.
A new wine from this estate and the inaugural vintage, the 2020 Château Guiraud Blanc Sec saw partial malolactic fermentation and spent 12 months in barrels. It shows a medium gold hue as well as a bright, crisp, yet still rich bouquet of caramelized Meyer lemons, lime, toasted break, white flowers, and some classic chalky, mineral-like nuances. Beautiful on the palate as well, it has a layered, medium-bodied, nicely concentrated mouthfeel, good acidity, and a clean finish. It's a richer yet balanced and still lively white that's going to shine on the dinner table.
We recommend this wine for asparagus-based dishes, fish and lobster terrines, shellfish, and olives. It is also delicious as an aperitif, with fresh cheese and goat cheese.

STATUS: OPEN
JD: 93 || JS: 92

VINTAGE NOTES:
20

2016 CHÂTEAU SUDUIRAUT
· BARSAC-SAUTERNES AOC
· HVE3 CERTIFICATION
+864618 · 12x375ml
Website

http://www.suduiraut.com/en/.
Château Suduiraut 2016 reveals a fine golden colour, at first the nose is fresh and delicate. Initially marked by notes of fruit such as yellow peach, candied apricot, and kumquat, it leads into aromas from barrel ageing like vanilla, light caramel, and spices. On airing, floral, and spicy fragrances develop, rose and curry. The attack is soft and fresh. The palate is smooth and velvety with aromas of red fruit, orange, and candied pineapple. The finish perpetuates this fresh and elegant mouthfeel. It is invigorated by spices, candied fruit, acacia honey and liquorice. Château Suduiraut 2016 is still very young, but it displays an appealing and very elegant character that already make it most enjoyable. It benefits from great ageing potential.
Chateau Suduiraut can be served with seafood dishes, especially shellfish, lobster, crab, and oysters on the half shell. Foie gras is a perfect pairing with its natural sweet, salty, and savory characteristics. Chateau Suduiraut can also be paired with roasted chicken, veal, and pork dishes that are either spicy or prepared with a touch of sweetness. Spicy Asian cuisine, raw fish, like sushi or sashimi, and cheese, both hard and soft also make great pairings with Chateau Suduiraut.

STATUS: OPEN
VN: 97 || RP: 95+ || JS: 95 || TA: 95 || JD: 95 || WS: 93 || JMQ: 94 || NM: 92+ || JR: 18

VINTAGE NOTES:
16 || 19 || 09 || 03 || 01 || 82 || 75

2020 CHÂTEAU SUDUIRAUT VIEILLES VIGNES
· BARSAC-SAUTERNES AOC · BORDEAUX BLANC
· HVE3 CERTIFICATION
+881250 · 6x750ml
Website

58% Sémillon, 42% Sauvignon Blanc.
With a brilliant pale-yellow color, the wine has a complex and distinguished nose. Floral, aniseed and mineral, the nose evolves towards notes of verbena, lemon, grapefruit with a touch of hazelnut, reflecting the aging in barrels. The mouth has nice tension, and we find the mineral and citrus notes, evolving on yellow fruits with aeration. The finish is fresh on citrus and lime. A great wine still a little restrained and showing very interesting capacities for evolution. To be decanted before tasting it in the next 5 years.
Starters: aged, cured ham, duck rillettes, fresh foie gras pan-fried with raspberries.
Poultry: roast turkey with morel mushrooms, duck with peaches or orange, roast poultry, curried chicken.
Shellfish: lobster with ginger, prawns in Thai sauce.
Cheeses: roquefort, Fourme d'Ambert, Chaource, ripe pressed cooked cheeses (Comté, Beaufort, Ossau-Iraty, etc.).
Desserts: Tarte Tatin, apricot tart, apple pie, walnut cake, almond financier, cannelés bordelais, fresh or caramelised pineapple, marinated oranges

STATUS: OPEN
WI: 91 || JMQ: 91 || WS: 90

VINTAGE NOTES:
20

2021 CLOS DES LUNES LUNE D'ARGENT
· SAUTERNES AOC · BORDEAUX BLANC
· CONVERSION TO ORGANIC - STARTED IN 2023
+890678 · 12x750ml
Website

70% Sémillon, 30% Sauvignon Blanc.
Lune d’Argent is the heart of Clos des Lunes’ production. They firmly believe in the future of this legendary terroir and its truly original style. With a touch of French oak, the Sémillon is dense and rich, the Sauvignon Blanc refined and precise. This cuvée of dry white wine promises to convey all the magic of Sauternes. Clos des Lunes – Lune d’Argent offers a bright yellow light hue with pale green highlights. Then, the nose is intense and complex of exotic white fruits and citrus mixed with floral notes of linden and acacia. The palate is rich, generous, ample and intensely fruity, very good tension. Also, the lemony freshness of Sauvignon Blanc delicately coats the exotic sweetness (mango & lychee) of the ripe Semillon. Finally, mineral notes bringing a good salinity invite to this cocktail to serve a very nice finish.
Clos des Lunes can be served with seafood dishes, especially shellfish, lobster, crab and oysters on the half shell. Foie gras is a perfect pairing with its natural sweet, salty and savory characteristics. Clos des Lunes can also be paired with roasted chicken, veal and pork dishes that are either spicy, or prepared with a touch of sweetness.

STATUS: OPEN
JL: 92 || WS: 91 || NM: 91-93 || JD: 91-93 || JS: 91-92 || JMQ: 88 || RP: 88-90

VINTAGE NOTES:
21 || 20 || 19 || 17

2019 OPALIE DE CHATEAU COUTET
· SAUTERNES - BORDEAUX BLANC
· HVE3 CERTIFICATION
+883826 · 6x750ml
Website

55% Semillon, 45% Sauvignon.
Nose marked by aromas of lime, grapefruit, as well as smoky notes. On the palate the attack is very fresh, in line with Coutet’s signature style. The mid-palate is powerful, oily and the wine offers a mineral touch on the finish.
Chateau Coutet can be served with seafood dishes, especially shellfish, lobster, crab, and oysters on the half shell. Foie gras is a perfect pairing with its natural sweet, salty, and savory characteristics. Chateau Coutet can also be paired with roasted chicken, veal, and pork dishes that are either spicy or prepared with a touch of sweetness.

STATUS: OPEN
JA: 93 || JMQ: 92 || WS: 91

VINTAGE NOTES:
19 || 10

2021 R DE RIEUSSEC
· SAUTERNES AOC  PREMIER CRU SUPERIEUR
· CONVERSION TO ORGANIC - STARTED IN 2021
+880795 · 6x750ml
Website

59% Sauvignon Blanc, 41% Sémillon.
Expressive, complex nose underscored by a lovely freshness, characteristic of this 2021 vintage. Some notes of tropical fruit in the initial nose, predominantly passion fruit, followed by floral notes with a hint of aniseed, suggesting fennel and tarragon. The wine’s minerality and concentration are already apparent in the nose. On the palate, the attack is round and full, with subtle notes of fresh butter. This is followed by superb notes of freshly cut wood which contribute to the wine’s concentration and purity. A sensation of minerality underscores the entire palate, with warm notes of flint, reminiscent of summer walks on the pebbles at Etretat beach. The finish is concentrated and long, balanced by a pleasant hint of bitterness.
R de Rieussec can be served with Pork, Vegetarian dishes, Poultry, Appetizers & snacks, lean fish. Also, pair with dover sole or fresh oysters on the half shell. Serve at 10-12°C.

STATUS: OPEN
JA: 93

VINTAGE NOTES:
21 || 09