Another recent addition to my cellar.

The slightly burnished gold colour generates a fascinating brightness and a suggestion of youthfulness. The bouquet floods from the Riedel upon pouring, filling the nostrils with a complex mix of marzipan, honeyed apricots, creme brulee’, butterscotch, spicy oak and that elusive volatile ester that permeates virtually every great Sauterne I’ve ever tried - if only someone would tell me what it is! The palate possesses a rich, honeyed and viscous personality without a hint of heaviness. There’s sufficient acidity to cleanse the palate, a wealth of fruit as per that found in the bouquet and the finish is spectacularly long and holds its intensity for the duration with great aplomb. I’d rate it about 92 points with little chance of this getting any better but should hold for another decade, possibly a little more.

FWIW, I believe Robert Parker last tried this in 1990, gave it 87 points (Very Good) and suggests it had no improvement in it. Thanks Bob! I’ve been drinking this wine only for the last 10 years and it has improved greatly in that period. Although every bottle seems a little different (thanks to the vagaries of our beloved (not!) cork) I’ve yet to try a bottle that has been less than excellent in quality.

Slightly burnished mid-gold with tremendous depth and a luminescent brightness. Reeks and tastes of candied apricots, powdery botrytis, dessicated coconut encrusted pineapple, creme brule’, citrus peel, marzipan, poached yellow peaches, a touch of butterscotch and the haunting everpresent overlay of spicy oak that, seemingly, only the French can infuse seamlessly into their Sauternes. There’s nothing overly heavy or cloying to be found in this wine, although I don’t believe this will make extremely old bones, displaying just enough acidity, freshness and equilibrium to suggest this will continue to hold for another 5-10 years. With extended breathing everything got a little thicker and more unctious, further enforcing my belief this will be better drunk sooner than later. Excellent drop, all the same. 90 points.