White Bordeaux

Rating

96

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

1997 - 2020

Reviewed by

 Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

1st Jan 1998

Source

Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition, The Wine Advocate

This unbelievably decadent, unctuous Cuvee Madame has the type of extract (but without the overlay of heavy, toasty oak) that one normally finds only in a great vintage of d’Yquem. The wine is much less evolved than the regular cuvee of Coutet. At the moment, it is crammed with honeyed tropical fruit that comes across in a powerful format. This is an enormously rich, almost overwhelmingly intense Barsac that needs another decade to begin to reveal its subtleties and complexities. It is mind-blowing! Anticipated maturity: Now-2020. Last tasted, 3/97

Rating

89

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2016 - 2035

Reviewed by

Neal Martin

Issue Date

31st Jan 2017

Source

Interim End of January 2017, The Wine Advocate

The 2002 Rieussec is a blend of 85% Semillon, 8% Sauvignon Blanc And 7% Muscadelle. Picked between 12 September and 5 November the nose is a bit disappointing: dried honey, peach skin and lanolin, but lacking the freshness of the 2001 Rieussec. The palate is fresh on the entry and makes up for the nose, well balanced with fresh acidity, nicely poised with spice-tinged honeyed fruit with mango and clementine lingering on the finish. This is a Sauternes just hobbled by the aromatics, frustrating as the palate still has much to offer. Tasted April 2016.

Score: 92+ Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (170), April 2007

An excellent vintage for Bordeaux’s dry whites, which tend to be vastly underrated, exceptionally long-lived (30-40 years in some cases), the 2005 possesses crisp acidity as well as serious weight, richness, and texture.

Score: 96/98 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (164), April 2006

An absolutely staggering vintage for this historic and tiny estate, this 2006 has a huge nose of tropical fruit, including pineapple, as well as a liqueur of minerality, with quince, white citrus, and a hint of subtle toast. Full-bodied, with huge concentration, an almost flinty mouthfeel, zesty acidity, and a monster finish, this is a prodigious Laville Haut-Brion that needs about 10 years of cellaring and should last 30 or more years.

Score: 98 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (181), February 2009

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.

Rating

92

Release Price

$45 - 55

Drink Date

2012 - 2022

Reviewed by

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

23rd Dec 2011

Source

199, The Wine Advocate

A stunningly rich nose of melons, honeysuckle, pineapple and orange rind are followed by a fresh, well-proportioned, medium to full-bodied dry white Graves to drink over the next decade or more.

NEAL MARTIN: 98-100

THE WINE ADVOCATE: 98-98

There are probably around seven casks of the 2009 L’Extravagant de Doisy-Daene, although that may decrease a little after racking. An equal blend of Semillon and Sauvignon, it delivers a record 220gms residual sugar and yet still exudes astounding minerality and precision, with touches of clear honey, frangipane and cold wet stones. The palate is full-bodied with a mellifluous texture, perfect acidity to slice through that rich botrytized fruit, stunning balance, citrus peel, apricot, Clementine, lemon curd and a hint of ginger. With awesome length, leaving that tingling sensation akin to Szechuan pepper, this wine truly lives up to its name. Wine Advocate.April, 2010

"This blockbuster blend of 62% Sauvignon Blanc and 38% Semillon has absolutely amazing texture, with superb lemon butter, crushed rock, quince and marmalade notes buttressed by hints of orange zest and citrus oil. Rich and full-bodied, with a sensational fragrance, this is an exquisite, full-throttle white to drink over the next 30+ years. Utterly profound!" 98+/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #199

A beautiful 1,000-case blend of 83% Semillon and the rest Sauvignon Blanc from the owners of La Mission Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion, this beauty exhibits oodles of marmalade, honeysuckle, caramelized melons and candle wax in a medium-bodied, authoritative style. Drink it over the next decade or more.

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

The 2011 seems to be a close cousin of the 2001 and possibly 1988. Light gold, restrained but very pure, noble and intense bouquet of honeysuckle, caramelized apricot, white peach with a subtle hint of toasty oak. It builds slowly but beautifully to a full-bodied wine and long finish. This vintage is about restraint and perfect balance despite the 144 grams of residual sugar. Some vintages are more exuberant or flamboyant-2011 is racy and compelling. Of course these wines can be drunk young, but expect the 2011 to age for 50 -75+ years in a good cellar. Robert Parker, 15/9/13

Score: 97

This blend of 84% Semillon and 16% Sauvignon Blanc is from the vineyard that used to be known as Laville Haut-Brion. Bursting with aromas of candle wax, honeyed tangerines, exotic melon and lychee nut-like notes, it exhibits terrific minerality along with a full-bodied mouthfeel, exceptional concentration, great acids and a long finish that lasts 40+ seconds. This killer dry white wine should drink well for 30-40+ years.

Score: 96/98+ Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (206), April 2013