CHÂTEAU GUIRAUD
2023 1er Cru Classé Sauternes
| Colour | White |
| Origin | France, Bordeaux |
| Village | Sauternes |
| Classification | 1er Cru Classé |
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, 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)
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A blend of 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc. A very fresh, bright and limpid style on the nose, all delicate white peach and crushed white pebbles, with a touch of white pepper, perhaps reflecting the freshness of the vintage as well as the Sauvignon component. The palate shows a charming viscosity, with plenty of mineral energy and drive, the acidity cutting through the sweetness of the palate with ease. Great structure here, also tension, minerality and drive. This is a quite brilliant young Guiraud. Do I sense a change in direction here? Of course I do – the estate is now under the direction of Sandrine Garbay, previously of Yquem, and this certainly has more tension and elegance than I am used to finding in Guiraud. The residual sugar is 130 g/l, and the alcohol is 13.8%. Rating: 94-96 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (May 2024)
You really see the class and botrytis character here with clarity and focus. Notes of spice, mushroom powder, subtle apricot and honey. It’s medium-bodied, fresh and bright with nice sweetness at the end. A modern and precise Sauternes. Rating: 96-97 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)
Château Guiraud
Sauternes Premier Cru 1855 Given that the village has lent its name to the appellation, it seems surprising that only two châteaux in Sauternes were granted Premier Cru status in 1855. When you learn that one of those two was Château d'Yquem, it becomes less surprising. The other was Château Guiraud. The name derives from a Pierre Guiraud (or Guiraut), who purchased the estate in 1766. Today, Guiraud is owned by a consortium - Robert Peugeot, Stephan von Niepperg, Olivier Bernard and Xavier Planty. They bought the estate in 2006 from the Narby family who had already done much work renovating Guiraud over the previous 20 years. There 85ha of vineyard, given over to 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes are hand-harvested and fermented in new wood, before ageing for 2 years. A second wine is produced called Le Dauphin de Château Guiraud, as well as a dry white called G de Guiraud.
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