Community Tasting Notes 1

• Tim and Bonnie Likes this wine:

  January 20, 2014 - Update: I removed my rating because it is day three and the wine is continuing to evolve and I realize I don't have enough experience to rate a wine like this. Perhaps after more bottles. As it stands, I'm more impressed on day three. The wood flavor has dissipated. The thickness has turned to a buttery melt that appears, deposits intense honeyed fruit flavors, and then liquifies into the mouth. Whereas three days ago I didn't understand the rave over Sauternes, today I realize I have more to realize, and I can't wait for the rest of the journey. Was a 90, now it's more than that to me, but 1-100 may not be the correct scale.
  
  Original review begun three days ago:
  This from true Sauternes novices, we really like this wine, but are left somewhat wanting. Sauternes creates an emotional connection because the first time we enjoyed it was in Italy at the end of a late dinner at Baccarossa, steps from our apartment we had rented in Florence. The owner, Max, joined us around 11:00 and had the server bring us a Sauternes to complete the meal. Quite a treat.
  
  So I've been looking for a good Sauternes to try at home and came across this one, well liked by the CT community. Didn't want to waste time like we did when we started into red wine years ago when we went from plonk to plonk in nicer glasses. Finally discovered great red wine and haven't looked back. Wanted to accelerate the journey into Sauternes by acquiring what others thought a good bottle and skip plonk altogether. Although I doubt any Sauternes could fairly be classified that way.
  
  Day one, it's very bright and fruity and zesty for a thirteen year old wine. Mid way in its journey from golden yellow to amber. Sweet. Thick. Rather like a cordial but with more depth. While a cordial or liqueur speaks to your palate, this wine speaks to your thoughts, imparting place with taste.
  
  Vacuum corked and into the fridge.
  
  Day two. Sipping by the fire. It's a bit deeper, but still just as bright. The wood is clear, and not the kind of woodiness one gets in a round Chardonnay, but actual wood flavor, as if you'd left a piece of fresh cut wood in the bottle overnight. I've not found myself very good at picking out the oak in many wines like others seem able to do, but this one is no challenge. And I have not developed the sophistication to understand if this is a desired trait in this type wine, but I'm open to it. That's a pretty good indicator that, although I strive to not be "kirsch" in my approach to reviewing wines, I suppose I'm still susceptible to the influence of others regarding what tastes good.
  
  My issue is, Sauternes at the level of this wine, seems like a wine anyone would like a great deal, even a non-wine drinker. So, where's the learning curve? Where's the price I need to pay to develop my palate over time? Why is it so expensive comparatively?
  
  I read the following in my study of the subject, "Baron Phillipe Rothschild of Mouton famously used to ice down his Yquem because that was the way he liked it, although he knew it drove the count crazy. Rothschild never did it when Lur Saluces was around."
  
  I suppose everyone has their own taste, and the Baron Phillipe was rich enough to drink what he liked the way he liked it. Or as Henry 5th said, according to Shakespeare, "Dear Kate, you and I cannot be confined within the weak list of a country's fashion: we are the makers of manners, Kate."
  
  We will continue this journey of Sauternes, and if anyone cares to grease the skids of our journey and send us a D'Yquem, we will oblige by accepting.

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Wine Definition

• Vintage 2001
• Type White - Sweet/Dessert
• Producer Le Dauphin de Guiraud
• Varietal Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend
• Designation n/a
• Vineyard n/a
• Country France
• Region Bordeaux
• SubRegion Sauternais
• Appellation Sauternes
• UPC Code 088156006619

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
• In Cellars 38 (95%)
• Consumed 2 (5%)

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