2010 Guiraud, Sauternes (Pre-Arrival)

SKU #1066950 96 points James Suckling

Ripe lemon peel and orange. Some honey and vanilla with loads of new wood. Dense and very sweet on the palate with nice pure fruit and firm tannins from the oak that still needs time to soften. This Sauternes shows a wonderful fruit and excellent potential, but needs time. Try in 2018. (2/ 2013)

92-94 points Wine Enthusiast

A closed up wine, although all the elements are there, promising great final balance, richness and power. (6/ 2011)

91-93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2010 Chateau Guiraud has fine purity and minerality on the nose, with touches of passion fruit and dried apricot, later quince joining the fray. The palate is very well-balanced with a lively entry of apricot, quince and a touch of hazelnut. The middle and finish demonstrate fine tension and a lot of freshness. Individual lots seemed to have more race than the final sample, and I suspect it will warrant a higher score once the final blend is in bottle. (5/ 2011)

91-93 points Wine Spectator

This is developing some real power, with glazed peach and pear fruit pushed by graham and honey notes. There's lots of viscosity on the finish, but with good underlying acidity. (3/ 2010)

K&L Notes

Thick honey flavors. Some coconut. Steve Greer: Bitter orange peel, spice and citrus. Should age well. *+