Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)

The 2020 Doisy-Daëne L'Extravagant is gracious and light on its feet. Scents of tangerine peel, mint, lemon confit, marzipan, jasmine and passionfruit are all beautifully lifted. Weightless and elegant, L'Extravagant is wonderfully subdued in 2020.

Experience the essence of Sauternes with 'La Tour Blanche 1994', a wine known for its sublime elegance. Produced with an expert blend of Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle grapes from the famed vineyards of Bordeaux, this rich yet balanced sweet wine reveals an impressive concentration of fruit and a velvety texture. Hand-harvested and subjected to a traditional vinification process, every bottle encapsulates the spirit of the renowned Château La Tour Blanche.

The expressive 'La Tour Blanche 1994' imparts notes of tropical fruit, honey, and spice on the nose, underpinned by an alluring mineral character. On the palate, it offers the perfect balance of acidity and sweetness. The producer, since 1855 a 1st Classified Growth of Sauternes in Bordeaux, continues their dedication to crafting exceptional wines. Indulge in 'La Tour Blanche 1994', a Sauternes wine embodying the rich tradition of Bordeaux winemaking. An exceptional choice for the discerning fine wine collector or aficionado.

Meticulously crafted in the Sauternes region of Bordeaux, France, the luxurious La Tour Blanche 1995 is an investment piece for the discerning wine aficionado. This prestigious wine is birthed from La Tour Blanche's esteemed vineyards, renowned for their dedication to embracing vital traditions while employing innovative viticultural techniques. Their wines are subjected to a measured ageing process in French oak barrels, honing an insurmountably rich, full-bodied profile.

The 1995 vintage radiates a golden hue; its radiant colour only surpassed by its aromatic complexity. A nose boasting honeyed apricot, ripe peach and candied lemon peel tantalises the senses. On the palate, the La Tour Blanche 1995 vaunts a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, clothed in flavours that mirror its aromatic spectrum.

Highly rated by respected wine publications, La Tour Blanche 1995 is an exquisite embodiment of Sauternes' unique terroir and an outstanding testament to La Tour Blanche's viticultural excellence.

Wine Advocate (93)

The 1998 la Tour Blanche is medium gold in color with quite an earthy, savory nose giving up perfumed notions of orange blossoms and honeysuckle over preserved apricots, apple pie and allspice hints. It's wonderfully elegant, sophisticated and beautifully balanced in the mouth, with oodles of layers and epic length.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90+)

Subdued but pure aromas of peach, orange marmalade and white plum, complicated and lifted by a floral topnote. Concentrated, fresh and spicy, with a flavor of peach and a repeating floral element. Youthful and persistent on the back end, which features sweet butter, vanilla and spicy oak.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90-93)

Pale yellow. Pure aromas of apricot, orange and spices, with a tangy hint of marmalade. Generous and moderately thick, with lively, fruit-driven flavors of orange, lemon and apricot nicely framed by bright acids. Very silky and suave, in the style of the vintage's best examples. Slowly mounting, very fine finish.

Wine Spectator (95-100)

Loads of botrytis and honey character and hints of lemon rind and citrus fruits. Full-bodied, very sweet ,with loads of peach tart, spice and a long, honeyed finish. This has all on the back palate. Fantastic. Best La Tour Blanche I have tasted in many, many years. Score range: 95-100

Vinous - Neal Martin (93)

The 2010 La Tour Blanche is well endowed on the nose with scents of acacia honey, yellow plum and orange rind, just a touch of saffron emerging with time (a leitmotif of this vintage.) The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity. This feels spicier than its peers, finely tuned towards the finish with a touch of ginger on the aftertaste. Excellent. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (91-94)

Yellow-gold color. Aromas of mirabelle, creme brulee, honey and spices, along with a faint fusel nuance. Dense, unctuous, powerful and complex; superripe and concentrated but with excellent acidity contributing structure and shape. Very long and sweetly oaky on the back end. This struck me as like a more powerful, gripping version of the '98.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)

A wine of stunning beauty, the 2017 Lafaurie-Peyraguey is so remarkably vivid from the very first taste. All the elements simply fall into place effortlessly. Orchard fruit, tangerine, passion fruit mint and exotic floral overtones all grace this precise, wonderfully inviting Sauternes from Silvio Denz. Lafaurie-Peyraguey is pure and total finesse.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)

A wine of stunning beauty, the 2017 Lafaurie-Peyraguey is so remarkably vivid from the very first taste. All the elements simply fall into place effortlessly. Orchard fruit, tangerine, passion fruit mint and exotic floral overtones all grace this precise, wonderfully inviting Sauternes from Silvio Denz. Lafaurie-Peyraguey is pure and total finesse.

James Suckling (99-100)

Incredible, young Sauternes with so much spicy, dried-mushroom, dust and powdered-earth character on the nose and palate, Full-bodied with a medium-sweet palate and a finish that is endless. Apricots, dried lemons and peaches. Caramel. Great balance. Greatest modern vintage? 6,000 bottles made.

Emanating from the fabled Château Lafon vineyards in Listrac-Médoc, France, Lafon 2020 wine is a sterling declaration of elegance. As an experienced fine wine connoisseur, I am impressed with this exceptional Bordeaux, crafted by the eminent and time-honoured Château Lafon family of winemakers.

Exhibiting the true finesse of Médoc terroir, Lafon 2020 weaves together a tantalising medley of blackcurrant, plum, and velvety tannins imparting a balanced, pleasurable finish. This exuberantly rich wine is made from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, harvested manually at their prime.

What sets Lafon 2020 apart is its 12 to 18 months ageing period in seasoned French oak barrels, endowing it with nuanced smoky and spicy undertones. This captivating libation truly demonstrates Lafon's commitment to quality, reflecting their devotion and passion for viniculture. Indulge in Lafon 2020's enchanting indulgence, and savour the unique essence of one of Bordeaux's most respected producers.

Emanating from the fabled Château Lafon vineyards in Listrac-Médoc, France, Lafon 2020 wine is a sterling declaration of elegance. As an experienced fine wine connoisseur, I am impressed with this exceptional Bordeaux, crafted by the eminent and time-honoured Château Lafon family of winemakers.

Exhibiting the true finesse of Médoc terroir, Lafon 2020 weaves together a tantalising medley of blackcurrant, plum, and velvety tannins imparting a balanced, pleasurable finish. This exuberantly rich wine is made from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, harvested manually at their prime.

What sets Lafon 2020 apart is its 12 to 18 months ageing period in seasoned French oak barrels, endowing it with nuanced smoky and spicy undertones. This captivating libation truly demonstrates Lafon's commitment to quality, reflecting their devotion and passion for viniculture. Indulge in Lafon 2020's enchanting indulgence, and savour the unique essence of one of Bordeaux's most respected producers.

Wine Advocate (90-92)

(No tasting note given)

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (89-92)

Pineapple dominates the nose. Clean, juicy and penetrating, with very intense, pure flavors of pineapple and honey. In its power, this reminded me of a 2001. Finishes with terrific lingering fruit.

Immerse yourself in the luxuriant experience of Myrat 2000, a delectable Sauternes produced in the prestigious Château de Myrat. One of the most distinguished vineyards in Bordeaux, Château de Myrat has been crafting exceptional wines since 1855, with a continued commitment to sustainable viticulture. The excellence of Myrat 2000 lies in its rich blend of Semillon, Sauvignon, and Muscadelle grapes, cultivated in select clay and limestone soils and subjected to a meticulous vinification process, ensuring a harmonious balance of sweetness and acidity.

Myrat 2000 mesmerises with its opulent gold colour, expressing exuberant flavours of ripe apricot, honey, and spices, culminating in an elegantly lengthy finish. Its radiant fruitiness is perfectly matched with an alluring botrytis complexity, indicative of its remarkable ageing potential. Myrat 2000 is a testament to Château de Myrat's devotion to superior craftsmanship, warranting its eminent position within the pantheon of fine wines.

Vinous - Ian D'Agata (91-94)

Bright, pale yellow. Lively lemon, tangerine, mango and papaya aromas are complicated by menthol and smoky botrytis. Sweet, silky and suave, delivering enticing, very pure flavors of peach nectar, guava and honey. This offers plenty of volume and richness without excess weight and finishes with sneaky length.

Vinous - Neal Martin (94)

The 2016 Rayne-Vigneau has a generous bouquet featuring flecks of white chocolate, quince and orange pith, and just a light smokiness in the background. The palate is very well balanced with a tangy marmalade and ginger opening. Delivering fine cohesion, plenty of vigor and great intensity on the finish, this is certainly one of the superior Sauternes of the vintage. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90)

Straw-gold. Marzipan, honey and toasted hazelnut on the nose. Moderately viscous and currently rather oaky. Has an impressively chewy texture but is not yet displaying its personality. Finishes with some youthful harshness. The '97 is at once stronger and finer.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (92+)

Captivating, tangy aromas of vineyard peach, pear, white flowers and curry powder. Supple and very concentrated; thick but lively thanks to perfectly integrated acidity. Fruit notes nicely complemented by spice tones. Conveys a tactile impression of extract. Long and strong on the back end. Still quite youthfully unevolved and built for long life.

Wine Advocate (95)

The 1998 Rieussec is medium gold colored and scented of paraffin, dried lemon peel, key lime pie and musk perfume with an earthy undercurrent. Very rich, concentrated and sexy in the mouth, it sports layer upon layer of citrus, earth and fungi notes with seamless freshness and fantastic length. Wow.

Wine Spectator (95-100)

Loads of spicy honey and apple character. Full-bodied, medium-sweet, with a solid core of fruit and lots of botrytis character. Very racy. Not the 2001 but superb. Score range: 95-100

Wine Spectator (93-96)

Balanced and very spicy, with almond paste and apricot. Full-bodied, medium sweet, with a long, fruity, tangy finish. Layered and stylish. Score range: 93-96 -JS

Wine Spectator (93-96)

Balanced and very spicy, with almond paste and apricot. Full-bodied, medium sweet, with a long, fruity, tangy finish. Layered and stylish. Score range: 93-96 -JS

Wine Advocate (98)

Pale to medium gold colored, the 2009 Rieussec sings of crème caramel, chopped nuts, baked apples and spiced pears with hints of jasmine, peach blossoms and beeswax. Full-bodied, rich and decadently creamy in the mouth, the multilayered palate is beautifully lifted with fantastic freshness. It has a very long finish offering a lasting impression of great elegance and finesse. Simply stunning.

Vinous - Neal Martin (96)

The 2010 Rieussec is slightly more backwards on the nose. It is very focused with almond, saffron, orange pith and dried honey aromas that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a harmonious entry. Impressive depth with lovely vanillary new oak, it is long and pure towards the finish. A Sauternes with pedigree. Superb. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.