2009 Guiraud, Sauternes

SKU #1122927 95-97 points Wine Enthusiast

Poised well between complex dry botrytis and very sweet, ripe fruit, this is a concentrated wine, full of richness rather than total sweetness. There is a final burst of spice. (4/ 2010)

96 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The Guiraud is one of the outstanding successes of the 2009 vintage, perhaps the best vintage that I have encountered in recent years. It is blessed with a very pretty, candied nose with coconut, almond shavings and clear honey that is very well-defined, although there remains just a little oak to be subsumed over the next couple of years. The palate is medium-bodied with a lovely, joyful apricot and clementine-infused entry. The acidity is perfectly judged while the finish exudes breeding, tension and precision. Outstanding! Drink now-2040+ (2/ 2013)

96 points Wine Spectator

*#5 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2012 and Highly Recommended* This is a bird of a different feather, with an exotic, vibrant aroma of toasted coconut, followed by an almond cream note that gives way to the core of green fig, papaya, Cavaillon melon and honey. There's stunning richness and mouthfeel, with the power to be one of the longer-lived wines of the vintage. Very impressive. Best from 2015 through 2040. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. (3/ 2012)

91-94 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

(a 65/35 blend of semillon and sauvignon; 13.9% alcohol; 139 g/l residual sugar) Bright golden yellow. Captivating spicy aromas of peach nectar, honey, ginger and menthol. Quite suave on entry, then rich and chewy in the middle, with lovely cut to its honeyed peach, melon, ripe citrus and lemongrass flavors. Thanks to lively acidity this wine conveys an impression of impeccable balance, and the high sauvignon content contributes to a fresher, lighter mouth feel. Finishes extremely long and pure, with vibrant lingering notes of gingery oak and clean botrytis. Extremely easy to drink. (5/ 2010)

K&L Notes

*1/2 Soft and easy. Candied ginger. Very lush and ripe, with nice acidity. From Ralph Sands: "Always big and full of fat, honeyed fruit." 65% percent Sémillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc