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2009 Sauternes & Barsac                          Posted: April 7, 2010             

　  WS

CHÂTEAU D'YQUEM Sauternes What a fabulous wine. It's an explosion of fruit, yet it's very refined. I absolutely love the nose on this, with apricot tart, apple crumble, caramel and crème brûlée. Full-bodied, superripe and spicy, with mango, papaya, spices and sweet dried lemons. Incredibly long. It really rocks your socks off. Amazing. This could be even better than 2001. —J.S.

Score: 97-100

CHÂTEAU COUTET Barsac Lemon custard, with honey and apple pie aromas. Full-bodied, with wonderful intensity and a spicy dried lemon and mineral finish. Very powerful, with lots of botrytis. Could be the Sauternes of the year. —J.S.

Score: 95-98

CHÂTEAU DOISY-DAËNE Sauternes L'Extravagant  This is rich and concentrated, with crème brûlée and apple crumble on the nose and palate. Full-bodied and very sweet. Thick and powerful. Layered and massive. —J.S.

Score: 95-98

CHÂTEAU GUIRAUD Sauternes This rocks with botrytis, offering spicy almond, peach pie and dried apricot on the nose and palate. Full and very sweet, with a long finish. So much dried fruit. Oily and powerful. Some bitterness. 35 percent Sauvignon Blanc and 65 percent Sémillon. —J.S.

Score: 95-98

CHÂTEAU DE MYRAT Barsac Dried apricot and citrus fruit aromas follow through to a full body, with a very sweet and intense palate. Finishes with lots of fruit and spicy nutmeg character. —J.S.

Score: 94-97

CHÂTEAU SUDUIRAUT Sauternes Pear and lemon pie aromas and flavors. Full and powerful, with lots of sweet fruit and a long, spicy finish. Racy, layered and beautiful. —J.S.

Score: 94-97

CLOS HAUT-PEYRAGUEY Sauternes Full-bodied and medium sweet, with apple pie, honey and cream flavors. Long and intense. Very well done. —J.S.

Score: 93-96

CHÂTEAU CAILLOU Barsac Lemon peel, spices and honey on the nose. Full-bodied, with a dense yet elegant structure. Medium sweet, with a spicy finish. Stylish. Very well done. —J.S.

Score: 92-95

CHÂTEAU DOISY-VÉDRINES Sauternes  Shows lots of lemon pie and almond spice, with hints of bitter lemon. Full-bodied, with a nutmeg and honey finish. Racy. —J.S.

Score: 92-95

CHÂTEAU NAIRAC Barsac Full-bodied and sweet, with lots of sliced citrus fruit and spicy bitter almond and honey on the finish. Powerful. —J.S.

Score: 92-95

CHÂTEAU DE RAYNE-VIGNEAU Sauternes  Shows notes of orange and lemon peel, with dried apple. Full-bodied and very sweet, with a thick and layered palate. Long and spicy. Solid and well made. —J.S.

Score: 92-95

CHÂTEAU RIEUSSEC Sauternes Lemon peel and pear tart on the nose. Full-bodied and medium sweet, with good acidity, lemon meringue flavors and a spicy finish. —J.S.

Score: 92-95

CHÂTEAU SIGALAS-RABAUD  Sauternes  Vanilla spice and honey aromas follow through to a very sweet, full-bodied palate, with a spicy and fruity finish. —J.S.

Score: 92-95

CHÂTEAU D'ARCHE  Sauternes Intense apple pie and lime aromas follow through to a full body. Medium sweet, with a spicy botrytis finish. Offers lots of subtle character. —J.S.

Score: 91-94

CHÂTEAU DE FARGUES SauternesDense and very rich on the palate. Medium sweet, with lemon pie and meringue notes and a textured finish. —J.S.sorbet. —J.S

Score: 91-94

CHÂTEAU LA TOUR BLANCHE Sauternes Dense and very rich on the palate. Medium sweet, with lemon pie and meringue notes and a textured finish. —J.S.

Score: 91-94

CHÂTEAU BROUSTET Sauternes Lemon curd on the nose, with hints of honey. Full-bodied, with lots of dried peach and lemon flavors. Medium sweet, with a lively finish, showing spicy botrytis at the end. —J.S

Score: 90-93

CHÂTEAU DOISY-DAËNE Barsac Lemon curd on the nose, with hints of honey. Full-bodied, with lots of dried peach and lemon flavors. Medium sweet, with a lively finish, showing spicy botrytis at the end. —J.S

Score: 90-93

CHÂTEAU BROUSTET Sauternes Intense aromas of dried citrus fruit and honey follow through to a full body. Medium sweet, thick and layered, with sliced cooked apple notes and a delicate spicy finish. —J.S.

Score: 90-93

CHÂTEAU RABAUD-PROMIS Sauternes Thick and very sweet, with lots of honey notes and an almost syrupy structure. Spicy botrytis on the finish. A little loosely knit, but interesting. —J.S.

Score: 90-93

CHÂTEAU LAMOTHE-GUIGNARD Sauternes Sliced pear and apple, with honey and spices. Full-bodied, with apple pie and honey flavors and a pretty finish. —J.S.

Score: 90-93

CHÂTEAU FILHOT Sauternes Shows some botrytis spice and dried fruit character on the nose. Full-bodied, very sweet and thick, with a dense, almost syrupy finish. Excellent for Filhot. —J.S.

Score: 89-92

CHÂTEAU LES JUSTICES Sauternes Ripe and fruity, with lemon curd, caramel and spice character. Medium- to full-bodied and medium sweet, with an aftertaste of fruit and honey. —J.S.

Score: 89-92

CHÂTEAU DE MALLE Sauternes Attractive aromas and flavors of sliced apple, pear and honey. Medium-bodied and medium sweet, with a spicy botrytis and fruit finish. —J.S.

Score: 89-92

CHÂTEAU SUAU Barsac Lemon curd, honey and apple pie aromas follow through to a full body. Medium sweet, with a tangy, spicy finish. Subtle and fine. —J.S.

Score: 89-92

CHÂTEAU LAMOTHE Sauternes Pretty apple pie and pineapple aromas follow through to a medium body, with light sweetness and a delicious finish. —J.S.

Score: 88-91

MADAME DE RAYNE Sauternes  A pretty nose of sweet apple and botrytis spice. Full-bodied, with medium sweetness and attractive dried pineapple and papaya flavors. The second wine of Rayne-Vigneau. —J.S.

Score: 88-91

CHÂTEAU BASTOR-LAMONTAGNE Sauternes Lemon meringue pie aromas follow through to a full body, with tangy acidity and dried fruits. Medium sweetness and medium finish. —J.S.

Score: 87-90

CHÂTEAU ROMER Sauternes Not much spicy character or sweetness. Medium-bodied, with a simple finish. —J.S.

Score: 85-88

2009 White Bordeaux                       Posted: April 8, 2010             

DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER Pessac-Léognan White  This is fabulous, long and superintense, with dried pineapple and sliced apples. Dense and powerful, with a great backbone of acidity and a long, long finish. Wonderful structure in this baby white. —J.S.

Score: 95-98

PAVILLON BLANC DU CHÂTEAU MARGAUX Shows impressive aromas of lemon rind and papaya, with hints of cream. Full and very layered, with the density of a red wine. Long and flavorful, offering a pretty balance of ripe fruit and acidity
like a grand cru Burgundy. The château says that they have pulled back the alcohol and given the wine a little more freshness and length. It worked. —J.S.

Score: 95-98

CHÂTEAU HAUT-BRION Pessac-Léognan White Shows exotic tropical fruit such as lychee and mango, with citrus undertones and cream. Full-bodied, offering loads of intense fruit on the palate. Bright acidity and a minerally, flinty undertone. Impressive finish.Not the 2007, but very good indeed. —J.S

Score: 93-96

CHÂTEAU LA MISSION-HAUT-BRION Pessac-Léognan White Subtle yet intense aromas of lemon pie, apple crumble and Brazilian lime follow through to a full body, with a dense concentration of fruit but an excellent backbone of acidity that turns to peaches and dried lemonson the finish. —J.S.

Score: 94-98

CHÂTEAU SMITH-HAUT-LAFITTE Pessac-Léognan White  Rich yet balanced with pineapple, sliced green apple and hints of citrus fruit with delicate cream undertones. Full, balanced and beautiful. Aniseed character as well, and fresh. —J.S.

Score: 90-93

CHÂTEAU BARET Pessac-Léognan White A beautiful white with lemon and apple tart aromas and flavors. Full and balanced, with lively fruit. Finishes long and pretty. 27 percent Sémillon and 73 percent Sauvignon Blanc. —J.S.

Score: 93-97

CHÂTEAU DE FIEUZAL Pessac-Léognan White Tangy, with lots of lemon and other citrus fruit character on the nose and palate. Excellent density of fruit and good acidity for the vintage. This is going places. —J.S.

Score: 93-97

CHÂTEAU MALARTIC-LAGRAVIÈRE Pessac-Léognan White Delicious on the nose. Apple pie and subtle pineapple aromas follow through to a full body, with beautiful fruit and a long finish. —J.S.

Score: 90-93

AILE D'ARGENT Bordeaux White with lots of dried pineapple, Brazilian lime and lemon as well as apple pie and cream. Full and fruity, with lovely fruit and thick texture. Rich finish. —J.S.

Score: 89-92

CHÂTEAU LA GRANDE CLOTTE Bordeaux White Full-bodied, with a dense mouthfeel of dried pineapple and honey. Long finish. This is a supercharged white. —J.S.

Score: 89-92

CHÂTEAU LESPAULT-MARTILLAC Pessac-Léognan White Lime and lemon aromas and flavors, with a thick and powerful palate. Seems more like a red wine in texture. Dense and rich. —J.S.

Score: 89-92

CHÂTEAU OLIVIER Pessac-Léognan White Dried pineapple and violet aromas, with hints of sandalwood. Full-bodied, with intense flavors and a dense palate. Thick and interesting. —J.S.

Score: 89-92

CHÂTEAU CANTELYS Pessac-Léognan White Lots of dried pineapple and melon character. Full-bodied, with plenty of good fruit and a flavorful finish. 50 percent Sauvignon Blanc and 50 percent Sémillon. —J.S.

Score: 88-91

LA CLARTE DE HAUT-BRION Pessac-Léognan White  Full-bodied, with sliced lemon and papaya character, bright acidity and a mineral, lemon-rind finish. Dense. Very good concentration. This is made from the young white grape vines of La Mission and Haut-Brion; new second wine for both. —J.S

Score: 88-91

CHÂTEAU LA GARDE Pessac-Léognan White Lime, sliced lemon and papaya aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, with bright acidity and a long finish. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. —J.S.

Score: 88-91

LES HAUTS DE SMITH Pessac-Léognan White  Tangy, with green apple and lemon rind aromas and flavors. Full and rich, with good acidity. Fresh. Pure Sauvignon. —J.S.

Score: 88-91

CHÂTEAU LATOUR MARTILLAC Pessac-Léognan White Full and fruity, with apple pie and lime aromas and flavors and a long finish. Always stylish. —J.S.

Score: 88-91

CHÂTEAU MONBOUSQUET St.-Emilion White Superlively with green apple and lemon rind character that turns to lime. Medium-bodied, with clean and fresh fruit and a long finish. —J.S.

Score: 88-91

CLOS FLORIDENE Graves White Lemon and cream aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, yet balanced and fresh. —J.S.

Score: 87-90

CLOS MARSALETTE Pessac-Léognan White  Very lemony, with dried citrus fruit and pineapple. Hints of cream. Full-bodied, with plenty of good fruit and a medium finish. —J.S.

Score: 87-90

CHÂTEAU GRAND VILLAGE Bordeaux White A fresh and clean white with lemon and lime aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, with bright fruit and lively acidity. —J.S.

Score: 84-87

CHÂTEAU RAHOUL Graves White Full and fruity, with pear and apple character. Dense and straightforward. —J.S.

Score: 86-90

CHÂTEAU THIEULEY Bordeaux White Cuvée Francis Courselle Fresh and lemony, with apple skin aromas and flavors. —J.S

Score: 82-85