Sauternes & Barsac

Release date: 17/5/2024

This is 100% Semillon, and it was picked at a yield of 12 hl/ha, from September 17th onwards. Aromatically it carries one of the defining features of this vintage, a very fresh and bright salineThis is 100% Semillon, and it was picked at a yield of 12 hl/ha, from September 17th onwards. Aromatically it carries one of the defining features of this vintage, a very fresh and bright saline freshness, here intertwined with chamomile, white peach, white freesia and crushed white pebbles. It is certainly very different to the 2021 and 2022 vintages! The palate is fresh and bright, with layers of white peach, pressed lemon, crushed pebbles, herbal tea, white freesia and salted citrus, with superb veins of minerals and acids, set within a delicious and tangible substance. Brilliantly bright and fresh, with incisive acidity, this is another superb expression of the Suduiraut vineyard. Delicious, and so long, and so thoroughly charged with energy. A stunner, which I was fortunate enough to taste twice, and I savoured every drop. The residual sugar is 150 g/l, and the alcohol is 14%. Rating: 97-100 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (May 2024)

Release date: 6/5/2024

The 2023 Coutet has a tightly-wound bouquet that demands more coaxing than its peers. It typically already possesses laser-sharp focus and is less flamboyant than fellow Barsacs, underpinned andThe 2023 Coutet has a tightly-wound bouquet that demands more coaxing than its peers. It typically already possesses laser-sharp focus and is less flamboyant than fellow Barsacs, underpinned and sharpened by its limestone soils. The palate is well balanced with intense botrytised fruit, lightly spiced dried honey and orange rind notes, just a hint of apricot in the background, stretching out on the finish that lingers on the tongue. I am not sure it is the best Coutet in recent years, but it is certainly a very fine contribution to the vintage that should age well in bottle. Drinking range: 2028 - 2060 Rating: 94-96 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 3/5/2024

This is 90% Semillon and 10% Sauvignon Blanc. A rather fresh and bright style on the nose, with yellow plum, peach and mango, and layers of crushed mineral. The palate reflects this character, withThis is 90% Semillon and 10% Sauvignon Blanc. A rather fresh and bright style on the nose, with yellow plum, peach and mango, and layers of crushed mineral. The palate reflects this character, with plenty of bitter substance, sweet mango and peach fruits, framed by delicious acidity and a pithy substance, as well as a floral freshness redolent of white freesia and white peach flower. This is such a delightful composition, with good bitterness and frame to the fruit, and the finish is deliciously long as well. A super Doisy-Védrines this year, with a fresh, acid-defined style which washed through the finish. Tasted twice. The residual sugar is 150 g/l, and the alcohol is 14.2%. Rating: 94-96 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (May 2024)

Release date: 29/4/2024

This 2023 Sauternes from Lafaurie-Peyraguey is 100% Semillon, picked at a yield of 5.1 hl/ha. The aromatics are truly intense, with bright mango, peach and honeyed apricot, with a floral freshnessThis 2023 Sauternes from Lafaurie-Peyraguey is 100% Semillon, picked at a yield of 5.1 hl/ha. The aromatics are truly intense, with bright mango, peach and honeyed apricot, with a floral freshness and lift, and a nice sense of citrus freshness and energy. The entry on the palate is simply divine, with brilliant texture, freshness, poise and energy, carrying seams of mango, apricot, peach and honeysuckle, with layers of phenolic grip, powdery minerals and a fabulous, strident acidity that gives it such a superb lift. It holds it all in until the finish, when it culminates in an explosion of ripe, floral and exotic fruits, washed through by the wine’s superb acidity. An absolute stunner of a Sauternes, long and bright. Rating: 97-99 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (May 2024)

Release date: 29/4/2024

This is 100% Semillon. A beautifully pure nose, with pure white peach, sweet lemon peel and crushed minerals, with a white freesia purity. The fruit complexity comes through on the finish, allThis is 100% Semillon. A beautifully pure nose, with pure white peach, sweet lemon peel and crushed minerals, with a white freesia purity. The fruit complexity comes through on the finish, all beautiful sweet honeysuckle, orange, verbena, with great intensity and drive, as well as fresh veins of bitterness and acidity, This is a superb example of Extravagant, which with its pure Semillon DNA is really suited to an intensely fresh vintage such as this. A stunning wine, with real energy in the finish, and great length too. Rating: 95-97 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (May 2024)

Release date: 29/4/2024

Tasted in a line-up of other 2023s the Doisy Daëne stood tall for its fresh lines and neatly tucked up fruit. There is richness, a delicious citrus marmalade - that sits up well, with perkuy notes ofTasted in a line-up of other 2023s the Doisy Daëne stood tall for its fresh lines and neatly tucked up fruit. There is richness, a delicious citrus marmalade - that sits up well, with perkuy notes of apricot too. But the real charm here is the lift. A bright line keeps this interesting and lighter on its toes than many. Sophisticated and charming.L&S (Apr 2024)

Release date: 29/4/2024

Vivid gold in colour, laced with white peach juice, grilled pear, stone fruits, lime juice, opulent but with sculpted lift and zest, this extends outwards and upwards through the palate, capturingVivid gold in colour, laced with white peach juice, grilled pear, stone fruits, lime juice, opulent but with sculpted lift and zest, this extends outwards and upwards through the palate, capturing the pleasure of 2023 sweet wines in Bordeaux. Has spice and character, gorgeously expressive even now, and will age with ease. Sandrine Garbay, long time winemaker of Yquem, is director at this 128ha estate, that has been farmed organically since 2011. Harvest began on September 27 and continued through to October 13. Rating: 96 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

This is 100% Semillon in 2023. Such an enticing nose here, expressive and clearly sweet, but in a modern style, with white peach, crushed gravel, lemon peel and chamomile notes, very focused. modernThis is 100% Semillon in 2023. Such an enticing nose here, expressive and clearly sweet, but in a modern style, with white peach, crushed gravel, lemon peel and chamomile notes, very focused. modern and swish. The palate follows on from this very convincing aromatic profile with piles of delicious white peach, mango, apricot and mineral substance, underpinned by beautiful seams of bitterness and fresh acidity. An absolutely delicious composition, with piles of pure and mouth-watering fruit, sweetness and vigour, coming from the wine’s remarkable seam of fresh acidity. A truly great Sigalas-Rabaud in the making. Tasted twice. The residual sugar is 140 g/l, and the alcohol is 13.8%. Rating: 96-98 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (May 2024)