From a 375 ml. Medium-deep golden yellow in color. Full, forward & attractive nose of complex, ripe, lush fruit aromas of apricots, peaches & pineapple with orange peel, overtones of floral notes of honeysuckle & honey, caramel, ginger, spices, minerals and a touch of vanilla. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced & smooth textured, viscous & opulent, ripe fruit flavors of dried apricots, yellow peaches & mangoes, honey, butterscotch, spices, minerals & hint of vanilla. Long lingering finish. Drinks quite well at present at 34 years of age but it may hold onto its current plateau with additional aging although any further development may be minimal.
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From 375. Perfect cork. Nose is sweet - barley sugar and a hint of candied ginger. Palate shows Gingery peach, lime marmalade, still vibrant acid - pineapple and sour orange. A hit of vanilla and wax, well integrated into medium-sweet barley sugar. Structure and freshness imply a certain agelessness - is this 5 years old or 33? No kaleidoscopic complexity like the very best Sauternes, but very refined and a damn good wine. For $35, it’s hard to buy a lot more pleasure than this.
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French classics at The Clarence (The Clarence Tavern): This was singing tonight, and one of the best Sauternes I've had in a while. Mature Sauternes/Barsac often tends towards an intense marmalade/lime that can be more impressive than delicious, but this wine felt like it had retained its youthful characteristics and then simply grown into them; drinking it was like putting on a perfectly-fitted jacket. Barley sugar and hints of cream, and effortlessly charming.
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From a 375. Honey golden with slightly deeper center. A luscious ambrosia peach and apricot nose with that carrying over on the palate. I agree with VERB on this that it was more about the sweet fruit center and less of a balance of acid on the finish which takes these up a notch for me. Still very enjoyable as a dessert in itself. I think this is a drink now vintage, although it will likely be in the same spot for years to come, especially in 750+ bottles.
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golden yellow - mature Sauternes nose of ripe apricots and pineapple - full rich mouth with sweetness predominating over acidity - long honied finish - a very nice mature Sauternes that is more about sweetness than complexity, but very enjoyable
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Developed and now drinking at its best since I last tried it. It has very good body and length and balance. Raisin, honey, sweet citrus and zesty notes on the nose with raisin, dried fruits (apricot, peach etc.), straw, syrup and marmalade on the palate. Very excellent.
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I was fortunate to buy this at a wine auction. Really nice color for an old Sauternes. A lovely and mature wine with favor profiles of apricot, honey with hint of citrus. I have never been disappointed with any Raymond-Lafon Sauternes. Exceptional quality.
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Burnished gold colour; good almost crisp lift on the nose of mango and honey; light on front palate but developing into a deeper although somewhat unctuous mid and back palate of burnt toffee and orange. No real complexity but a pleasant wine of about mid bourgeois quality.
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Musty Old Men wine dinner. I don't have any formal notes but I remember it was focused, had great acidity and the sweetness was subdued. It paired great with lemon panna cotta with honeycomb, orange and apricot. This was a big hit with the group.
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There is no need to age this sweet treat from this point forward. The candied orange, honeysuckle, apricot, vanilla, lemon chiffon and honey characteristics are shining.
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Fully mature, with a floral, apricot, earthy, vanilla, pineapple and orange aromatic profile. Silky, sweet, fresh and lush, there is a sense of minerality in honey drenched finish that adds even more complexity.
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Tasted next to 1990 Chateau Rieussec. Golden/orange in colour, quite glossy and bright. Dried fruit on the nose, orange zest, nuts, citrus fruit, a floral note. On the palate not very sweet, really quite fresh and rather tight, notes of honeyed lemons, orange zest. Elegant and restrained, very good length. No rush. 91-93
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11th of 12, pnp, perfect fill and level, all previous notes fine or better and those within last 5 years very fine or better - youthful light gold, leggy; involving bouquet, complex, tropical fruit, apricot (typical for RL) honey, flowers and touch of marmalade; fullish, very long and persistent, complex and classy, with freshness of vintage, well up with best in this outstanding vintage with only Yquem and Climens clearly better! Very fine plus (19/20).
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{750ml} Catching this after 2 nights open (with 1/3 already consumed), and it's delightful. Coppery-gold color; lighter than expected, and still quite bright. Zingy oranges, nougat, orange blossoms, steely lemons, peach melba on the nose and palate. The lion's share of the r/s has been nicely integrated. Tart where it needs to be, always clean. An honest wine, to be admired. 13,5% abv. Several quality years yet ahead. highly recommended
Served non-blind.
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Golden color. Residual sugar at bottom. Pineapple, Honey, apricots, slight orange marmalade, smooth and not too sweet. If it showed More botryis it would be 95 points. very enjoyable with Cheesecake.
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Golden color. 1/3 teaspoon of residual sugar at bottom. Honey, apricots, orange marmalade, smooth and very sweet but not cloying with a good botryis/glycerine mouthfeel.
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Not nearly as good as the bottle I had almost 5 years ago (wow -- how time flies). Unlike other tasters, this bottle did not lack sweetness,although I found it to be not sweet enough (at least for my palate). Nevertheless, it was still reasonably balanced. Not deep, but somewhat dark in color. I have two more, and I am curious about how they will taste.
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Brought by Josh. White gold color. Orange peel, cinnamon and pineapple on the nose. Creamy on the palate with grilled pineapple. Very spicy - cayenne. Serious alcohol, a touch of heat. Spice and apricot finish. Nose - 5/6, Palate - 5/6, Finish - 5/6, Je Ne Sais Quoi - 1/2 = 16/20.
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Baronne Guichard wine dinner, Ruth's Chris DC (Ruth's Chris on Connecticut Ave, DC): IMO, the 88 Sauternes in general are pretty fat. Quite unctuous and oily but lacks the counterbalancing acidity. My notes have been pretty consistent regarding this wine. Perhaps 12 hours of decanting with lesson the fruit and bring out a bit more acidity.
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15+ years 95+ RP Bordeaux dinner at Ruth’s Chris, Tysons (Ruth’s Chris, Tysons Corner, VA): The 88 Sauternes in general are pretty fat and this is no exception. A hint of petrol, apricot and yellow peach. The palate displays impressive concentration, oily texture and bright acidity. A very good sauternes but seems a bit too fat/flat at the moment. It may still need a few more years to become more precise. It is still very enjoyable nevertheless.
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From a half. Deep gold-orange; mature nose with baking spices, cinnamon, powdered sugar, dried apricot; palate overall is a bit flabby, lacks concentration and intensity though it shows full body and weight, hints of orange citrus, some spice, hint metallic as mature sauternes are, but by midpalate is somewhat monolithic; finish is relatively short-medium for sauternes. Overall this is a mature sauternes with nose>palate and a bit lacking in acidity and vibrancy. Drink now. This may be on the downslope, but I can't be sure because this is my only bottle. 86-87
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Enjoyable drink, but it is lacking a bit of the acidity I would like to see in a wine this rich. Brioche, creme brulee, orange and vanilla, lovely flavors just missing a bit more acidity to make it great. No worries though, it will be a good drink with a nice Roquefort or other sharper cheese to counterbalance the fatness. I wouldn't drink this with dessert though. (Although I do think that drinking any Sauternes with a sweet dessert is a crime - what are they thinking?)
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lush and complex, and starting to take on some interesting caramel flavours. Acidity is pretty low, but the wine isn't cloying...yet. Probably at it's best right now.
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Popped and poured. Amonds and honey at first, followed by honey and citrus. I thought the wine was a bit cloying and lacking in acid backbone but the rest of the crew liked it a lot and it was quickly consumed. Drink up.
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The nose was very tight (perhaps it was a bit too cold) but it really came around. Flavors of honey and sweet pineapple were wrapped up with the classic botrytis finish. A pleasant reminder that there is something unique and wonderful about drinking aged wines.
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Deep gold color. Aromas of apricots, ripe pineapples, honey and almonds. Thick, sweet fruit in the mouth with great complexity, structure and depth and a long, lingering finish. At peak (375ml. bottle).
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Consistent notes since first bottle 3/95: tropical fruit (apricot and mango), lovely balance, creamy mouthfeel right through last one tonight. "Not Equem" as my wife said 15 years ago but what is? This has been a terrific purchase, just right with (her) peach tart and apple pie (Ida Red's only please; you can guess where that came from). Couldn't ask for more enjoyment. Its still at or near peak but you're on you own going forward.
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Took to Chris & Terri for Steeler's game; What a crazy showing young bottle. There is some apple & pineapple aromatics but overall this is still showing very young. There is some nice spice and well balanced acidity here -with some more air this took on some additional complexity on the finish. Overall this is on the delicate end of the spectrum with excellent elegance. I suspect it will have a very long life ahead of itself.
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If you do not like this wine, you do not like Sauternes. Perfect. In its prime, although I suspect there are some good years ahead. Plenty of sugar left, but excellent acidity and balance. This is a real "class act".
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1988 Sauternes Horizontal (Alameda): At the tasting. Almond nose, a little tropical fruit as far as taste, not amazing. The 3rd night, nose shows a little honey, a little rubbing alcohol. Medium gold Color. Tastes of Sweet Pineapple, some acid, not a long finish. The 4th night it seems to be stepping up it's game and is holding up to the Rieussec.
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Agree with Vino Me below, nicely aged sauternes, showing lemon zest, spice, citrus and some honey. Very well balanced. Everyone at the table loved this wine with the fruit tart for desert.
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Very pretty, floral sauterne. Not nearly the complexity when compared with something like d'Yquem, but a nice (CHEAPER) substitute that is ready to drink at a much younger age. Color was pale yellow and this wine will improve with more time.
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Color - orange. Initial impressions -- "perfect". Butter -- syrup. The mold and boytris is unbelievably pefect. Mold is balanced. Sugar lingers. There is absolutely nothing in the world anyone could do to make this better. I wish I was this bottle -- or could breath it in everyday -- like oxygen.
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Strong, seductive nose. Intense fruit, mostly apricot, lacking in complexity. And unlike other raters, I find this sorely lacking in acidity. Very nice wine, but it doesn't reach the heights of Sauternes perfection.
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This was a nicely aged Sauternes which was starting to strut its stuff. Notes of spices, lemon zest and citrus. Medium bodied with a long finish. 91-92 points.
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Medium-gold colour. Aromas of mineral, honey, lemon rind, tangerine. Full-bodied, quite sweet, with candied fruit rind, pineapple. Moderate-length finish with apricot and tangerine notes.
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1990 and older CdP Redux (Ed Murray's): From half bottle. Deep golden color. Not terribly sweet, but very nice, balanced, and reminiscent of grand Marnier.
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What can I say... I've had several of these and have yet to be dissappointed. A classic botrytis influenced nose had my nose glued to the glass. I really like the balance of this wine, there is plenty of acid, yet you really have to concentrate to notice it. Drinking perfectly now.
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Deep gold color. Generous nose of pineapple, honey, pears, and bananas. Not too heavy in the mouth, followed by an extravagant finish. Youthful and fresh.
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Finishing the last half of a split I opened this three days ago: I took my first sip and was blown away as this wine was clearly much better than three days ago. I glanced up at my wife and her eyes were wide with shock, she too was amazed at how much better it was now. Not that it was bad then, the three days of fridge time had brought it to a completely new level. Lightly sweet aromas of honey, brown sugar, and vanilla poured from the glass. In the mouth, butterscotch, honey, apricot, brown sugar, and the wonderful taste of botrytis completely engulfed the palate. The finish was long, long, layered and... long. Incredible!
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Beautiful golden/amber color. Muted varnish and mushroom on the nose, (odd but pleasant nonetheless.) BUTTERSCOTCH!!! - honey, candied apricots and apple cider on the palate with botrytis evident on the long, subtle finish. This is wonderfully balanced, drinking perfectly right now.
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Dark yellow with golden hue. Abricot and orange peel on the nose. Sweet and creamy in texture. Harmonious and integrated, yet lacking real greatness and dimension. However, more structured and focused than La Tour Blanche.
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9/10/2022 - ericindc wrote: flawed
from half bottle. Dark, a bit madeirized. Still had some fruit, but very browned and it was a Pretty sure it wasnt correct.
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8/20/2022 - goldgarf wrote: flawed
Bottle went bad
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1/21/2022 - Vinnut Likes this wine: 93 Points
From a 375 ml. Medium-deep golden yellow in color. Full, forward & attractive nose of complex, ripe, lush fruit aromas of apricots, peaches & pineapple with orange peel, overtones of floral notes of honeysuckle & honey, caramel, ginger, spices, minerals and a touch of vanilla. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced & smooth textured, viscous & opulent, ripe fruit flavors of dried apricots, yellow peaches & mangoes, honey, butterscotch, spices, minerals & hint of vanilla. Long lingering finish. Drinks quite well at present at 34 years of age but it may hold onto its current plateau with additional aging although any further development may be minimal.
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6/14/2021 - ohne_musik wrote: 94 Points
From 375. Perfect cork. Nose is sweet - barley sugar and a hint of candied ginger. Palate shows Gingery peach, lime marmalade, still vibrant acid - pineapple and sour orange. A hit of vanilla and wax, well integrated into medium-sweet barley sugar. Structure and freshness imply a certain agelessness - is this 5 years old or 33? No kaleidoscopic complexity like the very best Sauternes, but very refined and a damn good wine. For $35, it’s hard to buy a lot more pleasure than this.
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4/20/2021 - NickA Likes this wine: 94 Points
French classics at The Clarence (The Clarence Tavern): This was singing tonight, and one of the best Sauternes I've had in a while. Mature Sauternes/Barsac often tends towards an intense marmalade/lime that can be more impressive than delicious, but this wine felt like it had retained its youthful characteristics and then simply grown into them; drinking it was like putting on a perfectly-fitted jacket. Barley sugar and hints of cream, and effortlessly charming.
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3/28/2021 - portman63 Likes this wine: 91 Points
From a 375. Honey golden with slightly deeper center. A luscious ambrosia peach and apricot nose with that carrying over on the palate. I agree with VERB on this that it was more about the sweet fruit center and less of a balance of acid on the finish which takes these up a notch for me. Still very enjoyable as a dessert in itself. I think this is a drink now vintage, although it will likely be in the same spot for years to come, especially in 750+ bottles.
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7/12/2020 - Verb Likes this wine: 92 Points
golden yellow - mature Sauternes nose of ripe apricots and pineapple - full rich mouth with sweetness predominating over acidity - long honied finish - a very nice mature Sauternes that is more about sweetness than complexity, but very enjoyable
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11/24/2019 - jww Likes this wine: 89 Points
Slightly on the brown side of honey color
Nice nose
Raisin flavor
Very heavy and sweet not very complex
But nice
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9/15/2019 - Melc88 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Developed and now drinking at its best since I last tried it. It has very good body and length and balance. Raisin, honey, sweet citrus and zesty notes on the nose with raisin, dried fruits (apricot, peach etc.), straw, syrup and marmalade on the palate. Very excellent.
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3/30/2019 - nittanyjack Likes this wine:
Drank from 375. Beautiful showing...perfect balance between sweetness and acidity.
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12/15/2018 - cltean Likes this wine: 94 Points
I was fortunate to buy this at a wine auction. Really nice color for an old Sauternes. A lovely and mature wine with favor profiles of apricot, honey with hint of citrus. I have never been disappointed with any Raymond-Lafon Sauternes. Exceptional quality.
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7/7/2018 - nittanyjack Likes this wine:
Very pleasant...maybe just a little clipped on the finish.
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3/21/2017 - viderunt wrote: 90 Points
Burnished gold colour; good almost crisp lift on the nose of mango and honey; light on front palate but developing into a deeper although somewhat unctuous mid and back palate of burnt toffee and orange. No real complexity but a pleasant wine of about mid bourgeois quality.
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3/10/2017 - thunberg wrote: 88 Points
@BYOB - tasted blind
Burnt electricity, fat mouth feel, deep in flavours, vanilla ice cream, lacks acidity.
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10/13/2016 - Paul D wrote:
Haut Bailly Dinner (Medlar, Chelsea): Scant notes (last wine of evening) - peach, orange marmalade edge, some nice saffrony notes. ***1/2.
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10/13/2016 - SimonG wrote: 92 Points
Haut Bailly (Medlar, London): Mid gold. Coconut and barley sugar nose. Good sweetness and a touch of botrytis on the palate. Rich. ****
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10/12/2016 - Racer117 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Light to med. gold; spicy plasticy botrytis nose; very good acidic body with orange marmalade, lemon, and some coconut flavors. Ready to serve.
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3/17/2016 - nittanyjack Likes this wine: 92 Points
Musty Old Men wine dinner. I don't have any formal notes but I remember it was focused, had great acidity and the sweetness was subdued. It paired great with lemon panna cotta with honeycomb, orange and apricot. This was a big hit with the group.
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3/2/2016 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 Points
There is no need to age this sweet treat from this point forward. The candied orange, honeysuckle, apricot, vanilla, lemon chiffon and honey characteristics are shining.
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10/21/2015 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 Points
Fully mature, with a floral, apricot, earthy, vanilla, pineapple and orange aromatic profile. Silky, sweet, fresh and lush, there is a sense of minerality in honey drenched finish that adds even more complexity.
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9/28/2015 - rossi.wine wrote: 92 Points
Tasted next to 1990 Chateau Rieussec. Golden/orange in colour, quite glossy and bright. Dried fruit on the nose, orange zest, nuts, citrus fruit, a floral note. On the palate not very sweet, really quite fresh and rather tight, notes of honeyed lemons, orange zest. Elegant and restrained, very good length. No rush. 91-93
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9/12/2015 - Burgundy Al wrote: 86 Points
Magnum Man Cellar Depletion (Northfield, IL): Slightly musty start, and overall sweet, simple and less nuanced than I'd expect at this age from a good vintage.
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9/8/2015 - liber Likes this wine: 97 Points
11th of 12, pnp, perfect fill and level, all previous notes fine or better and those within last 5 years very fine or better - youthful light gold, leggy; involving bouquet, complex, tropical fruit, apricot (typical for RL) honey, flowers and touch of marmalade; fullish, very long and persistent, complex and classy, with freshness of vintage, well up with best in this outstanding vintage with only Yquem and Climens clearly better! Very fine plus (19/20).
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2/8/2015 - hajoha wrote:
Småvolatil denne og er noe ufresh.
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2/1/2015 - andtheodor wrote: 91 Points
Not a particularly vivid Sauternes, but well proportioned and drinking well.
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1/27/2015 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
{750ml} Catching this after 2 nights open (with 1/3 already consumed), and it's delightful. Coppery-gold color; lighter than expected, and still quite bright. Zingy oranges, nougat, orange blossoms, steely lemons, peach melba on the nose and palate. The lion's share of the r/s has been nicely integrated. Tart where it needs to be, always clean. An honest wine, to be admired. 13,5% abv. Several quality years yet ahead. highly recommended
Served non-blind.
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9/2/2014 - JoeDwine wrote: 92 Points
Golden color. Residual sugar at bottom. Pineapple, Honey, apricots, slight orange marmalade, smooth and not too sweet. If it showed More botryis it would be 95 points. very enjoyable with Cheesecake.
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10/18/2013 - mxpbuy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Golden color. 1/3 teaspoon of residual sugar at bottom. Honey, apricots, orange marmalade, smooth and very sweet but not cloying with a good botryis/glycerine mouthfeel.
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3/9/2013 - John Nezlek wrote: 88 Points
Not nearly as good as the bottle I had almost 5 years ago (wow -- how time flies). Unlike other tasters, this bottle did not lack sweetness,although I found it to be not sweet enough (at least for my palate). Nevertheless, it was still reasonably balanced. Not deep, but somewhat dark in color. I have two more, and I am curious about how they will taste.
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12/19/2012 - Bistrobro1 Likes this wine:
fabulous wine
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8/23/2012 - Seth Rosenberg wrote: 92 Points
Brought by Josh. White gold color. Orange peel, cinnamon and pineapple on the nose. Creamy on the palate with grilled pineapple. Very spicy - cayenne. Serious alcohol, a touch of heat. Spice and apricot finish. Nose - 5/6, Palate - 5/6, Finish - 5/6, Je Ne Sais Quoi - 1/2 = 16/20.
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5/23/2012 - ntdavis1 wrote: 88 Points
Past the peak. Lacking the acidic backbone as others have commented. Sweet and syrupy ... missing complexity. Reminds me more of an ice wine.
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3/9/2012 - dcwino wrote: 91 Points
Baronne Guichard wine dinner, Ruth's Chris DC (Ruth's Chris on Connecticut Ave, DC): IMO, the 88 Sauternes in general are pretty fat. Quite unctuous and oily but lacks the counterbalancing acidity. My notes have been pretty consistent regarding this wine. Perhaps 12 hours of decanting with lesson the fruit and bring out a bit more acidity.
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2/26/2012 - dcwino wrote: 93 Points
15+ years 95+ RP Bordeaux dinner at Ruth’s Chris, Tysons (Ruth’s Chris, Tysons Corner, VA): The 88 Sauternes in general are pretty fat and this is no exception. A hint of petrol, apricot and yellow peach. The palate displays impressive concentration, oily texture and bright acidity. A very good sauternes but seems a bit too fat/flat at the moment. It may still need a few more years to become more precise. It is still very enjoyable nevertheless.
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2/16/2012 - aagrawal wrote: 86 Points
From a half. Deep gold-orange; mature nose with baking spices, cinnamon, powdered sugar, dried apricot; palate overall is a bit flabby, lacks concentration and intensity though it shows full body and weight, hints of orange citrus, some spice, hint metallic as mature sauternes are, but by midpalate is somewhat monolithic; finish is relatively short-medium for sauternes. Overall this is a mature sauternes with nose>palate and a bit lacking in acidity and vibrancy. Drink now. This may be on the downslope, but I can't be sure because this is my only bottle. 86-87
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8/6/2011 - lewrose@gmail.com wrote:
Consistent with prior notes. Lacks enough acidity to be a truly memorable bottle of wine. Still very enjoyable.
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7/17/2011 - acidqueen wrote: 88 Points
Enjoyable drink, but it is lacking a bit of the acidity I would like to see in a wine this rich. Brioche, creme brulee, orange and vanilla, lovely flavors just missing a bit more acidity to make it great. No worries though, it will be a good drink with a nice Roquefort or other sharper cheese to counterbalance the fatness. I wouldn't drink this with dessert though. (Although I do think that drinking any Sauternes with a sweet dessert is a crime - what are they thinking?)
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3/24/2011 - Bardamu wrote: 93 Points
lush and complex, and starting to take on some interesting caramel flavours. Acidity is pretty low, but the wine isn't cloying...yet. Probably at it's best right now.
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1/22/2011 - lewrose@gmail.com wrote:
Popped and poured. Amonds and honey at first, followed by honey and citrus. I thought the wine was a bit cloying and lacking in acid backbone but the rest of the crew liked it a lot and it was quickly consumed. Drink up.
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12/15/2010 - LWI wrote: 83 Points
Nailpolish, botrytis, some caramel/burned sugar. Lacking in freshness and complexity. Not faulty, simply a dissapointment.
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8/9/2010 - jstanfill Likes this wine: 92 Points
The nose was very tight (perhaps it was a bit too cold) but it really came around. Flavors of honey and sweet pineapple were wrapped up with the classic botrytis finish. A pleasant reminder that there is something unique and wonderful about drinking aged wines.
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7/3/2010 - hsacks wrote: 93 Points
Deep gold color. Aromas of apricots, ripe pineapples, honey and almonds. Thick, sweet fruit in the mouth with great complexity, structure and depth and a long, lingering finish. At peak (375ml. bottle).
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6/6/2010 - Alwolf wrote: 92 Points
Had it with big dinner at chop house 47 and was not disappointed Maybe a bit more syruppy than I would have expected, but still outstanding.
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3/13/2010 - lastone wrote: 92 Points
Consistent notes since first bottle 3/95: tropical fruit (apricot and mango), lovely balance, creamy mouthfeel right through last one tonight. "Not Equem" as my wife said 15 years ago but what is? This has been a terrific purchase, just right with (her) peach tart and apple pie (Ida Red's only please; you can guess where that came from). Couldn't ask for more enjoyment. Its still at or near peak but you're on you own going forward.
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6/11/2009 - Siggy wrote: 92 Points
Tasting Group Dinner - Chateauneuf at Heidi's (Heidi's & Our House, Minneapolis): From half bottle. Surprisingly youthful. Juicy tropical fruit, nuts, and minerals. Very nice acid balance. Long finish.
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1/11/2009 - bon vivant wrote:
Took to Chris & Terri for Steeler's game; What a crazy showing young bottle. There is some apple & pineapple aromatics but overall this is still showing very young. There is some nice spice and well balanced acidity here -with some more air this took on some additional complexity on the finish. Overall this is on the delicate end of the spectrum with excellent elegance. I suspect it will have a very long life ahead of itself.
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10/20/2008 - madeiradog wrote: 88 Points
Black Salt Dinner (Black Salt restaurant - Washington DC): Came off as a very simple sauterne but with great balance between sweetness and acidity. Very one-dimensional fruit (for me) that did not hold your attention very long.
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7/13/2008 - John Nezlek wrote: 93 Points
If you do not like this wine, you do not like Sauternes. Perfect. In its prime, although I suspect there are some good years ahead. Plenty of sugar left, but excellent acidity and balance. This is a real "class act".
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5/18/2008 - ews3 wrote: 92 Points
really nice aged sauternes -- some of the raw sweetness of youth is gone. dried apricot, peach, honey, nuttiness.
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4/19/2008 - Train_de_Nuit wrote:
1988 Sauternes Horizontal (Alameda): At the tasting. Almond nose, a little tropical fruit as far as taste, not amazing. The 3rd night, nose shows a little honey, a little rubbing alcohol. Medium gold Color. Tastes of Sweet Pineapple, some acid, not a long finish. The 4th night it seems to be stepping up it's game and is holding up to the Rieussec.
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3/7/2008 - no leashes wrote: 92 Points
Agree with Vino Me below, nicely aged sauternes, showing lemon zest, spice, citrus and some honey. Very well balanced. Everyone at the table loved this wine with the fruit tart for desert.
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1/12/2008 - burgbob wrote: 91 Points
Elegant and balanced but some obtrusive acidity is present. Perhaps it will be better on the second day. Plenty of life left.
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9/28/2007 - mortenef wrote: 95 Points
I liked this alot. My stickey experience is limited, but this was great.
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2/2/2007 - G SQUARED wrote: 90 Points
Very pretty, floral sauterne. Not nearly the complexity when compared with something like d'Yquem, but a nice (CHEAPER) substitute that is ready to drink at a much younger age. Color was pale yellow and this wine will improve with more time.
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11/23/2006 - A&C wrote: 98 Points
Color - orange. Initial impressions -- "perfect". Butter -- syrup. The mold and boytris is unbelievably pefect. Mold is balanced. Sugar lingers. There is absolutely nothing in the world anyone could do to make this better. I wish I was this bottle -- or could breath it in everyday -- like oxygen.
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11/13/2006 - RiedelBeagle wrote: 91 Points
Strong, seductive nose. Intense fruit, mostly apricot, lacking in complexity. And unlike other raters, I find this sorely lacking in acidity. Very nice wine, but it doesn't reach the heights of Sauternes perfection.
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8/29/2006 - Wineosseur wrote: 93 Points
Solid Sauternes showing a well balanced nose of fairly complex sweet fruit. Long. smooth finish.
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11/23/2005 - Vino Me wrote: 91 Points
This was a nicely aged Sauternes which was starting to strut its stuff. Notes of spices, lemon zest and citrus. Medium bodied with a long finish. 91-92 points.
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11/19/2005 - futronic wrote: 91 Points
Medium-gold colour. Aromas of mineral, honey, lemon rind, tangerine. Full-bodied, quite sweet, with candied fruit rind, pineapple. Moderate-length finish with apricot and tangerine notes.
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10/22/2005 - DFC wrote: 92 Points
Medium gold in color. Delicious botyris on the nose, this wine has enough acidity to balance the sweetness.
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10/22/2005 - Not Levine wrote: 92 Points
1990 and older CdP Redux (Ed Murray's): From half bottle. Deep golden color. Not terribly sweet, but very nice, balanced, and reminiscent of grand Marnier.
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9/18/2005 - Tubbs wrote: 93 Points
What can I say... I've had several of these and have yet to be dissappointed. A classic botrytis influenced nose had my nose glued to the glass. I really like the balance of this wine, there is plenty of acid, yet you really have to concentrate to notice it. Drinking perfectly now.
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4/13/2005 - burningstarIV wrote: 94 Points
Deep gold color. Generous nose of pineapple, honey, pears, and bananas. Not too heavy in the mouth, followed by an extravagant finish. Youthful and fresh.
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3/22/2005 - Tubbs wrote: 96 Points
Finishing the last half of a split I opened this three days ago:
I took my first sip and was blown away as this wine was clearly much better than three days ago. I glanced up at my wife and her eyes were wide with shock, she too was amazed at how much better it was now. Not that it was bad then, the three days of fridge time had brought it to a completely new level. Lightly sweet aromas of honey, brown sugar, and vanilla poured from the glass. In the mouth, butterscotch, honey, apricot, brown sugar, and the wonderful taste of botrytis completely engulfed the palate. The finish was long, long, layered and... long. Incredible!
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3/18/2005 - Tubbs wrote: 91 Points
Beautiful golden/amber color. Muted varnish and mushroom on the nose, (odd but pleasant nonetheless.) BUTTERSCOTCH!!! - honey, candied apricots and apple cider on the palate with botrytis evident on the long, subtle finish. This is wonderfully balanced, drinking perfectly right now.
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9/11/2004 - MRichman wrote:
Bordeaux offline (Tout Va Bien, NYC): Gummy & simple. Nice sweetness.
B--
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6/7/2003 - Joe Belmaati wrote: 91 Points
Dark yellow with golden hue. Abricot and orange peel on the nose. Sweet and creamy in texture. Harmonious and integrated, yet lacking real greatness and dimension. However, more structured and focused than La Tour Blanche.
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