White Bordeaux

**** 4 Star Michael Broadbent 

Doisy-Daene finished its harvest 1 month after d’Yquem, and has possibly produced this property's finest wine in over two decades. A big, ripe bouquet of pineapples, peaches, and spring flowers is very attractive. On the palate, the wine is concentrated, full bodied, and unctuous, without being too heavy or alcoholic. Excellent acidity suggests a long, eventful evolution.

Score: 98 Robert Parker, Bordeaux Book (4), December 2003 The favorite sweet wine of millionaires, Chateau d'Yquem has, not unexpectedly, turned in a brilliant effort with their newly released 1989. It is a large-scaled, massively rich, unctuously-textured wine that should evolve effortlessly for a half century or more. It does not reveal the compelling finesse and complexity of the 1988 or 1986, but it is a far heavier, richer wine than either of those vintages. It is reminiscent of the 1976, with additional fat and glycerin. The wine is extremely alcoholic and rich, with a huge nose of smoky, honey-covered coconuts and overripe pineapples and apricots. As with most young vintages of Yquem, the wine's structure is barely noticeable. These wines are so highly extracted and rich yet approachable young, it is difficult to believe they will last for 50 or more years. The 1989 is the richest Yquem made in the eighties, and it has an edge in complexity over the powerhouse 1983. It remains to be seen whether this wine will develop the extraordinary aromatic complexity possessed by the promising 1988 and 1986 Yquems. Last tasted 11/97 Score: 97

A rich Yquem, with coffee, dried orange skin, and dried apples. Full and sweet, with a round body and very yummy. A touch of bitterness on the palate. 128 grams of RS. Score: 91

Masses of acidity. Thick, very complex, very sweet. Massive but very young. 13.5%

Score: 19 - 20

JancisRobinson.com, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2018-205027 March 2012

Not darker than any other 2001 Sauternes. Butterscotch and orange peel but not excessive sweetness on the nose. Some barley sugar and then on the palate such a lot of richness and weight and complexity. The merest hint of mouse but awfully lovely. Not quite as fat as Climens.

Score: 18

JancisRobinson.com, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2015-203530 March 2011

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index’s 10-Year On horizontal. The nose is very tight at first with scents of dried honey, yellow flowers and melted butter with fine definition: very complex and cerebral. The palate is medium-bodied with a vibrant, zesty entry, good acidity with apricot, orange zest and white peach towards the well defined finish. Exquisite balance and poise although it needs years in bottle. Tasted March 2011. (97+ Points)

Score: 97

Neal Martin, erobertparker.com 01 May 2011

The greatest young Yquem I have ever tasted from bottle. Yellow, with a golden hue and an almost green tint. Intense aromas of botrytis, spices and blanched almonds follow through to honey, maple syrup, dried apricot and pineapple. Full-bodied, sweet, thick and powerful, with layers of fruit and a bright, lively finish. Coats the palate yet remains exciting. So balanced and refined, showing the pedigree that only this Sauternes estate can deliver. Best after 2012. 10,000 cases made.

Score: 100

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2012+15 November 2005

There are 10,000 cases of this perfect sweet white Bordeaux. The 2001 Yquem reveals a hint of green in its light gold color. While somewhat reticent aromatically, with airing, it offers up honeyed tropical fruit, orange marmalade, pineapple, sweet creme brulee, and buttered nut-like scents. In the mouth, it is full-bodied with gorgeously refreshing acidity as well as massive concentration and unctuosity. Everything is uplifted and given laser-like focus by refreshing acidity. This large-scaled, youthful Yquem appears set to take its place among the most legendary vintages of the past, and will age effortlessly for 75+ years.

Score: 100

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2010-2100+30 April 2005

Another ideal Christmas Present  - for the person who's not sweet enough...

3 bottles each La Tour Blanche / Doisy Vedrines / Rieussec / Suduiraut

Delivering 12.0% ABV and 200gms residual sugar, Denis Dubourdieu’s luxury Barsac, the 2007 L’Extravagant de Doisy-Daene, does not hold back, born with a lucid golden hue with big fat tears (of joy). The bouquet is very intense but very tight at first, demanding time to unfurl in the glass at its own pleasure: white peach, apricot, orange-blossom and a touch of marmalade with breathtaking definition. The palate is full-bodied with a viscous entry, so pure and caressing with mellifluous honey, apricot and citrus lemon, wonderful delineation on the finish, the thread of acidity interwoven through that powerful finish with the length of an ocean liner. Brilliant. Drink 2015-2050.

93-96 RPRobert Parker, Wine Advocate # 176 93 WSRich, powerful, perfumed aromas of lemon pie, cooked apple and melon lead to a full body, with a fabulous density that persists. Gorgeous, with lovely richness and balance. Best after 2011. James Suckling,Wine Spectator 2010

A blend of 84% Semillon and 16% Sauvignon Blanc, this wine displays oodles of figs, melon, crushed rock, white flowers and grapefruit. Its excellent texture, medium to full body make for a beautiful example of dry white Graves. Anticipated maturity: now-2025.

Rating:

96

Price ($)

NA

Drink Date

2018 - 2040

Reviewed by

Neal Martin

Issue Date

28th Jun 2013

Source

207, The Wine Advocate

Tasted as part of a vertical held at the chateau. The 2009 Guiraud has a complex, precocious bouquet with honeysuckle and jasmine notes, hints of dried honey and white peach. It is tightly wound but very precise. The palate is pure and tense in the mouth – great precision here once again with superbly integrated oak and a lovely, seductive, very viscous botrytis-laden finish. In many ways the 2009 represents the wine that every vintage since 1983 would love to be. Drink 2018-2040+ Tasted April 2013.

This full-bodied blend of 54% Sauvignon Blanc and 46% Semillon has a level of concentration and intensity that makes it the dry white wine of the vintage. Loads of minerality, a hint of subtle spice, but mostly just pure orange marmalade, candle wax, honeysuckle and caramelized melons make for a full-bodied, distinctive style of wine to drink over the next 50+ years.

Score: 98 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (205), March 2013

A blend of 54% Sauvignon Blanc and 46% Semillon, this singular, compelling white exhibits notes of orange blossoms, lemons, melons, crushed rocks, spice and flowers. It is a sensational, provocative, full-bodied dry white to enjoy over the next 40 years.

Score: 94/97 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011

Tasted at Chateau Haut-Brion. There is a slight floral aspect to the nose of the Haut Brion Blanc with hints of almond, white chocolate and fresh pear underpinned by fine minerality. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp citric fruit on the opening. It is slightly more phenolic than recent vintages, just a hint of white pepper tingling on the tongue with a well-balanced finish that is persistent. Good potential. Tasted November 2012.

Score: 95 Neal Martin, eRobertParker.com, February 2013

eRobertParker.com #225
Jun 2016 Neal Martin 94 Drink: 2025 - 2060
The 2011 Climens repeated its performance from a few months ago. There is a tangible richness on the nose, touches of honeycomb and chalk infusing the honeyed fruit before those fig-like scents begin to emerge. The palate is beautifully balanced, unctuous in the mouth with a lovely salinity coming through on the long finish. It is way too young to strut its stuff at the moment, so afford it at least a decade in bottle. Tasted April 2016.

A beautifully elegant and complex wine, with subtle notions of citrus, honeysuckle and tropical fruits, this medium-bodied, fresh, super-pure 2012 from Domaine de Chevalier should drink well for 30 or more years. The color is light straw with a greenish hue to it. Drink 2015-2025.

Score: 93+ Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (218), April 2015

A gorgeous effort, the 2012 Domaine de Chevalier, made from a blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon that reached 13.5% natural alcohol, boasts abundant notes of creme brulee, lemon custard, candle wax and oranges in its beautifully rich, honeyed personality. Great acidity gives laser-like precision to its component parts. Drink this full-bodied white wine over the next 2-3 decades.

Score: 93/95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (206), April 2013