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Sauternes

Sauternes makes the world’s most famous dessert wines. Though the appellation lies within the Graves region of Bordeaux’s left bank, the appellation makes only sweet wines from white grapes, primarily Semillon sometimes blended with small amounts of Muscadelle. The five communes within Sauternes are Barsac, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac and Sauternes. Barsac also has its own appellation and, typically, Barsac wines are slightly drier and lighter than other Sauternes. Sauternes are made when weather conditions result in a mold called Botrytis cinerea developing on the grapes, which causes them to become especially sweet. Sauternes are not produced every vintage, so successful vintages become especially collectible. Sauternes estates were classified in 1855, and Château d’Yquem, the appellation’s most prestigious estate, was ranked in a class by itself as a Premier Grand Cru. Château d’Yquem wines are among the most prized wines in the world.

1953 Château d'Yquem

Capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork; light signs of past seepage; very top shoulder fill; label condition issue

MB  ****   

1961 Château d'Yquem

375ml

Capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork; light signs of past seepage; base neck fill; label condition issue

MB  ***   

1966 Château d'Yquem

Capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork; signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill; label condition issue; writing on label

MB  ****   

2015 Château d'Yquem

375ml

WA  100   
JS  99   
WS  98   

2019 Château d'Yquem

Light label condition issue

VN  95+    
JR  17   

1990 Château d'Yquem

12-bottle Lot, Wood Case

Case condition issue

RP  99   
WS  95   
ST  94   
JR  18   

2009 Château d'Yquem

12-bottle Lot, Wood Case

See item details for bottle notes; Light case condition issue

WA  100   
WS  98   
JS  98   
VN  97-100   
JR  19+    

1971 Château Rieussec

Light capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; very top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

2001 Château Rieussec

WS  100   
DE  *****   
RP  99   
ST  95   
WA  93   
JR  18.5   
WS  #1 of 2004   

2001 Château Rieussec

Very top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

WS  100   
DE  *****   
RP  99   
ST  95   
WA  93   
JR  18.5   
WS  #1 of 2004   

2001 Château Rieussec

Light label condition issue

WS  100   
DE  *****   
RP  99   
ST  95   
WA  93   
JR  18.5   
WS  #1 of 2004   

2001 Château Rieussec

Light label condition issue

WS  100   
DE  *****   
RP  99   
ST  95   
WA  93   
JR  18.5   
WS  #1 of 2004   

2001 Château Rieussec

12-bottle Lot, Wood Case

WS  100   
DE  *****   
RP  99   
ST  95   
WA  93   
JR  18.5   
WS  #1 of 2004   

1983 Château Suduiraut

375ml

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

MB  ***   

1983 Château Suduiraut

375ml

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; signs of past seepage; very top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

MB  ***   

2005 Château Suduiraut

WS  93   
ST  92   
JR  18   

1925 Château Climens

375ml

Capsule condition issue; mid shoulder fill; light label condition issue

1949 Château Climens

Capsule condition issue; very top shoulder fill; label condition issue

2003 Château Guiraud

375ml

Light label condition issue

WS  95   
RP  94   
ST  92   
JR  16   
WS  #14 of 2006   

2001 Château Doisy Vedrines

Light label condition issue

WS  93   
ST  91+    
RP  89-91   

1988 Château Raymond-Lafon

Very top shoulder fill; label condition issue

RP  92   
WS  91   

1986 Château Rayne-Vigneau

Heavy capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; base neck fill; label condition issue

WS  91   
RP  90   

1986 Château Bastor-Lamontagne

Capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork; base neck fill; label condition issue