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.

2015 CHÂTEAU COUTET
· BARSAC-SAUTERNES AOC
+780151 · 6x750ml
Website

75% Semillon, 23% Sauvignon, 2% Muscadelle.
The nose is marked by a dominance of exotic fruits: mango, ginger, and pineapple. Added to this are the peach aromas and candied bitter oranges. On the palate the attack is remarkably fresh considering the power of wine. The mid-palate reveals a nice balance highlighting the minerality of our terroir. The 2015 vintage is defined by its finesse.
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. Spicy Asian cuisine, raw fish, like sushi or sashimi, and cheese, both hard and soft also make great pairings with Chateau Coutet.

STATUS: OPEN
JD: 96 || WS: 95 || RP: 95 || NM: 95 || JS: 94 || DC: 94 || JMQ: 94 || JR: 18

VINTAGE NOTES:
15 || 17 || 16 || 13 || 11 || 10 || 09

2020 CHÂTEAU D'YQUEM
· SAUTERNES AOC  PREMIER CRU SUPERIEUR
+831393 · 3x375ml
+845042 · 3x750ml
Website

85% Sémillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc.
Residual sugar: 135 g/L
The 2020 Yquem is supremely elegant, a taut, refined, effortless wine of length and poise. Initially this is quite an extrovert showing plenty of exotic fruits such as pineapple, mandarin, and orange peel. It’s airy and graceful, yet there’s wonderful intensity and vitality on the palate. Although focused and direct, we were impressed by the breadth to the flavours: hints of spice, brioche, marmalade, apricot, and lemon zest. This wonderfully crystalline Yquem is already expressive and a joy to taste, however, we have no doubt this is a wine of real finesse and botrytis character, which will evolve and develop gracefully over many decades. The 2020 is the smallest production since 2000 with an equivalent of 35,000 bottles made.
Enjoy it with blue-veined cheeses such as Roquefort, Bleu d'Auvergne, Caesar Regalis or Fourme d'Ambert. For dessert, finish it off with a citrus salad with cinnamon, saffron rice pudding or a pear-caramel bavarois. In Sauternes, the typical pairing is with roast chicken. Also great with Duck Breast and tuna tartare with wasabi and crab risotto.

STATUS: OPEN
JL: 98 || WI: 97+ || DB: 97 || DC: 96 || WS: 95

VINTAGE NOTES:
20 || 19 || 18 || 17 || 16 || 15 || 10 || 08 || 99 || 98 || 97

2020 CHÂTEAU DOISY DAËNE BLANC
· BARSAC AOC · BORDEAUX BLANC
+772599 · 12x750ml
Website

100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Pale lemon color with aromas of stone, tropical and citrus fruit with floral and honey oak. On the palate flavors of pear, apple, peach, and lemon curd, slight notes of botrytis with oak wrapped in balanced acidity. Long finish ending with a chalky zesty mineral and bread character.
Serve with salmon with bearnaise sauce; lobster-mushroom risotto; Fettuccine with shrimp & lemon; Vegetarian curry.

STATUS: OPEN
DC: 92 || WS: 91 || JMQ: 90 || JS: 90-91 || WI: 89 || TA: 89 || RP: 88-90

VINTAGE NOTES:
20 || 19 || 18 || 17 || 15 || 11

2018 CHÂTEAU GUIRAUD
· SAUTERNES AOC  PREMIER GRAND CRU CLASSE
+866588 · 12x375ml
Website

65% Semillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc.
The first juices are expressed with balance and complexity, where concentration is perfectly combined with astonishing liveliness. 2019 puts one face to face with a nature that is precisely severe and generous at the same time.
Chateau Guiraud 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.

STATUS: OPEN
JS: 94 || WS: 93 || DC: 93 || JMQ: 93

VINTAGE NOTES:
19 || 16 || 14 || 13 || 11 || 10 || 09 || 07 || 05 || 03 || 98 || 89

2016 CHÂTEAU GUIRAUD
· SAUTERNES AOC  PREMIER GRAND CRU CLASSE
+866588 · 12x375ml
Website

65% Semillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc.
Château Guiraud wine is born of simplicity and proven methods. This wine is aged for approximately 18 months in oak barrels specially selected for their contribution to the wine’s elegant manner and the immensity of the its soul. The bouquet is precise, the texture is sensual, the smoothness has a somewhat mineral tone; Château Guiraud expresses elegant purity and aromatic refinement.
Chateau Guiraud 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.

STATUS: OPEN
JD: 96 || RP:95 || JA: 95 || JS: 93 || TA: 93 || WS: 91 || VN: 89-92 || JR: 17

VINTAGE NOTES:
16 || 19 || 14 || 13 || 11 || 10 || 09 || 07 || 05 || 03 || 02 || 98 || 89

2002 CHÂTEAU GUIRAUD
· SAUTERNES AOC  PREMIER GRAND CRU CLASSE
+758861 · 12x375ml
Website

65% Semillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc.
A beautiful year which strengthens us in our strategy about botrytis. Beginning of the harvest on the 11th of September, and on the 2nd of October, 90% of the harvest was done, with a plentiful and wonderful second trie, it is at the heart of this grand cru. I love this wine! A full-bodied wine, very typical, with almond aromas, white flowers, orange, pear and zest of citrus. The spices of botrytis appear through green tea and pepper notes. A beautiful balance acidity/ fat, and length in mouth. It will last more than the reputation on the vintage.
Chateau Guiraud is best served at 14 degrees Celsius, 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Chateau Guiraud 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 Guiraud 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.

STATUS: OPEN
WI: 95 || NM: 92 || RP: 91 || VN: 91 || JL: 91 || WS: 89 || JMQ: 87 || JR: 16

VINTAGE NOTES:
02 || 19 || 16 || 14 || 13 || 11 || 10 || 09 || 07 || 05 || 03 || 98 || 89

1998 CHÂTEAU GUIRAUD
· SAUTERNES AOC  PREMIER GRAND CRU CLASSE
+TBA · 6x750ml
Website

65% Semillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc.
A really great year, and an abundant one, which does not spoil anything. Nose offers a lot of distinction, with crystallized fruits aromas, honey, smokey, of a great complexity of citrus aromas. The wine is fat, broad, mellow with a great acidity. Just bottled, it is beginning a long career.
Chateau Guiraud 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 Guiraud 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.

STATUS: OPEN
JMQ: 91 || RP: 91-93 || WS: 89 || NM: 85-87

VINTAGE NOTES:
02 || 19 || 16 || 14 || 13 || 11 || 10 || 09 || 07 || 05 || 03 || 98 || 89

2020 CHÂTEAU GUIRAUD GRAND VIN BLANC
· SAUTERNES AOC  2ND WINE
+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

2018 CHÂTEAU RIEUSSEC
· SAUTERNES AOC  PREMIER CRU SUPERIEUR
+844662 · 12x750ml
Website

75% Semillon, 25% Sauvignon Blanc.
The robe can vary over the entire range of colors from pale gold to coppery gold through straw yellow. In the main aromatic field of soft and sweet Bordeaux we find the flower, the fresh fruits, the exotic fruits but also spicy notes and empyreumatique’s (wood, cinnamon, vanilla ...). The sweet white young are delicious, they are slightly jammy but still retain acidity. With age they evolve on more concentrated aromas, such as the bitter orange confit and small notes of salted butter caramel.
Chateau Rieussec 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 Rieussec 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 Rieussec.

STATUS: OPEN
WE: 94-96 || JA: 94 || RP: 93-95 || JS: 93-94 || WS: 91 || NM: 90-92 || JR: 17.5

VINTAGE NOTES:
18

2016 CHÂTEAU SUDUIRAUT
· BARSAC-SAUTERNES AOC
+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 || 03 || 01 || 82 || 75

2020 CHÂTEAU SUDUIRAUT VIEILLES VIGNES
· BARSAC-SAUTERNES AOC · BORDEAUX BLANC
+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
+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 CLOS DES LUNES LUNE D'ARGENT
· SAUTERNES AOC · BORDEAUX BLANC
+831562 · 12x750ml
Website

70% Sémillon, 30% Sauvignon Blanc.
The Clos des Lunes Lune d´Argent 2019 is a wine characterized by its bright pale gold color. Seductive on the nose with herbaceous aromas of acacia and ripe, sweet white fruit. The rich palate of the Clos des Lunes Lune d'Argent 2019 echoes the nose with fruity flavors. A bright acidity balances this richness, lending a nice freshness to the wine. The finish is tight, revealing aromas of candied citrus and a nice, mineral salinity.
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
NM: 92-94 || JS: 92-93 || JD: 91-93 || RP: 88-90

VINTAGE NOTES:
19 || 17

2021 G DE GUIRAUD
· SAUTERNES AOC  2ND WINE
+871457 · 12x750ml
Website

50% Sémillon, 50% Sauvignon Blanc.
The 2020 vintage of the G de Chateau Guiraud cuvée offers you a harmonious and aromatic Bordeaux white wine. In the glass, you will observe remarkable tension. The prodigious aromatic complexity of this vintage will immediately strike you. The wine is both dense and fresh. The hint of hazelnut butter combines with peach and citrus notes, ending in a lively finish on the palate. This is the 10th vintage of G certified Guiraud 2020 is undeniably a great Bordeaux wine organic. The G de Château. I wish you every enjoyment upon the discovery!
Ideal accompaniment 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

VINTAGE NOTES:
21

2021 LES LIONS DE SUDUIRAUT
· SAUTERNES - BORDEAUX BLANC
+883825 · 6x750ml
Website

52% Sémillon, 48% Sauvignon Blanc.
Adorned with a light-yellow color with green highlights, Lions de Suduiraut Blanc Sec 2021 offers a discreet and promising nose. Citrus aromas mingle with notes of white flowers and white fruits for a fresh and fruity nose. The attack is soft and is perpetuated on an unctuous, fresh mouth, with flavors of pear, sweet lemon, and pomelo. The finish is clean, mineral, and fruity, with good length. We find the greedy, dense, and fruity character of this cuvée, with the touch of freshness of the 2021 vintage.
Spicy Asian cuisine, raw fish, like sushi or sashimi, and cheese, both hard and soft also make great pairings.

STATUS: OPEN
JD: 94 || JL: 92 || JS: 91 || JA: 91 || VN: 91 || WS: 88 || RP: 87

VINTAGE NOTES:
21

2019 OPALIE DE CHATEAU COUTET
· SAUTERNES - BORDEAUX BLANC
+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

2017 PETIT GUIRAUD
· BARSAC · 2ND WINE
+758872 · 12x375ml
Website

65% Semillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc.
Ageing in vats and barrels for 12 months. Petit Guiraud is a fresh and precise Sauternes and is result of a long period of reflection on the wine style and its drinkability. As the flag-flyer for modernity and accessible pleasure, Petit Guiraud is a slice of luxury to be enjoyed every day.
Quail, roasted poultry with figs. Perfect to pair with soft cheeses and a cured ham like a prosciutto for a great contrast of salty and sweet. Light desserts.

STATUS: OPEN
WS: 89

VINTAGE NOTES:
17 || 16 || 13 || 10 || 09

2021 R DE RIEUSSEC
· SAUTERNES AOC  PREMIER CRU SUPERIEUR
+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