Sauternes & Barsac

Release date: 20/5/2021

Full of pleasure, silky and richly textured, easy to sink into but carefully measured at the same time, addings its layers of orange peel, bloody orange, white pepper spice and truffle slowly butFull of pleasure, silky and richly textured, easy to sink into but carefully measured at the same time, addings its layers of orange peel, bloody orange, white pepper spice and truffle slowly but surely as it inches through the palate. Tiny floral notes accompany the saline minerality on the finish. Almost no botrytis in September, and then when the weather deteriorated at the end of September things really became a bit worrying. But they were able to hold on until October 19 (after stopping at the end of September, I imagine needing nerves of steel). Yields of around 8hl/ha. 3,000 cases of Suduiraut. 137g/l of residual sugar. A great example of what botrytis does - the pH is at 4, so the freshness comes from the bitterness of botrytis not high acidities. Drinking range: 2022 - 2045 Rating: 96 Jane Anson, Decanter (May 2021)

Release date: 17/5/2021

95% Sémillon, 4% Sauvignon Blanc, 1% Muscadelle. Cask sample. 18 months in oak envisaged. No information on yield. Greenish hint to the golden hue. Very classic with a botrytis note and some real95% Sémillon, 4% Sauvignon Blanc, 1% Muscadelle. Cask sample. 18 months in oak envisaged. No information on yield. Greenish hint to the golden hue. Very classic with a botrytis note and some real freshness. Weight and integrity here with a savoury, even bacon-fat, finish. Not one of the sweetest wines, or what I probably mean is that the acidity is more pronounced than in many of its peers. Sleek and fresh. But probably for relatively early drinking. 13.5% Drinking range: 2024 - 2038 Rating: 17+ Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2021)

Release date: 11/5/2021

Powerful fleshy exotic fruits - the juice comes in from the first moment and doesn't let up, ensuring the apricot and mango fruits are shot straight through the core of steel. A brilliant showcase ofPowerful fleshy exotic fruits - the juice comes in from the first moment and doesn't let up, ensuring the apricot and mango fruits are shot straight through the core of steel. A brilliant showcase of what the soils of Barsac can do. A yield of 11hl/ha, 18 months in barrel. Tasted twice. Drinking range: 2020 - 2048 Rating: 95 Jane Anson, Decanter (May 2021)

Release date: 10/5/2021

The 2020 Lafaurie-Peyraguey, picked at 7hl/ha and matured in one-third new oak, has a very perfumed, quite floral bouquet of yellow flowers fusing with the honey, orange pith and white peach scents.The 2020 Lafaurie-Peyraguey, picked at 7hl/ha and matured in one-third new oak, has a very perfumed, quite floral bouquet of yellow flowers fusing with the honey, orange pith and white peach scents. The palate is beautifully balanced with a viscous texture, hints of stem ginger joining the chorus line of tangerine, marmalade and quince notes, and harmonious on the finish. This is lovely Sauternes in the making. Tasted four times. Drinking range: 2025 - 2055 Rating: 93-95 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2021)

Release date: 10/5/2021

This is a very juicy and tropical style with a plush, forward palate and a slightly shorter finish than expected. Nice energy, but not that complex, this is another joyous, early-drinking wine.This is a very juicy and tropical style with a plush, forward palate and a slightly shorter finish than expected. Nice energy, but not that complex, this is another joyous, early-drinking wine. Rating: 16.5 Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (Jun 2021)

The 2020 L’Extravagant de Doisy-Daëne has a very well-defined nose, one that is perhaps more restrained than other vintages at this stage. But it is wondrously pure, offering detailed yellow plum,The 2020 L’Extravagant de Doisy-Daëne has a very well-defined nose, one that is perhaps more restrained than other vintages at this stage. But it is wondrously pure, offering detailed yellow plum, quince and white flower scents. The palate, however, is where all the action is. It delivers a payload of honeyed fruit mixed with quince, peach and a touch of crème caramel. Displaying fabulous length and precision, this is a stunning Barsac. Drinking range: 2025 - 2065 Rating: 96-98 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2021)

The 2020 Guiraud, picked at 8.32hl/ha and matured in 90% new oak, has a lifted nose, not as intense as some of the other 2020 Sauternes that I tasted, but well defined, offering scents ofThe 2020 Guiraud, picked at 8.32hl/ha and matured in 90% new oak, has a lifted nose, not as intense as some of the other 2020 Sauternes that I tasted, but well defined, offering scents of honeysuckle, quince and touches of peach. The palate is smooth on the entry and very harmonious. Not a deep or powerful Guiraud but focused and tensile. Élevage will add some needed weight and girth. Drinking range: 2024 - 2044 Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2021)