November 18, 2020 - Drinking quite well! Beautiful, old Sauternes... what it lacks in refinement or elegance, it more than makes up for in sheer enjoyment. Bold, ripe flavors of apricot, flowers and honeyed wood spice match up with a jolt of acidity which keeps the intensity of this wine from becoming overly decadent. I felt there was perhaps just a little alcoholic heat on the end, but this too seemed to have its place in the broader experience.
Overall, I suppose one could call this a little “brutish” or “coarse” for a Sauternes of this age, but honestly, the charm of this wine (while rough around the edges) went a long way. I’d happily drink this again.
February 4, 2019 - Deep amber in colour - much darker than I anticipated.
Simply gorgeous - not fine, but luscious, and none the worse for that.
August 25, 2018 - Vibrant apricot on the nose. Medium to full bodied, sweet, showing vibrant apricot with some heat on the finish. Good balancing acidity. In a great spot. Simply delicious.
July 15, 2018 - Apricot, orange peel, almond. This is fresh and straightforward Sauternes. Good balance and not too sweet or thick. This is a fine food wine. Let me get on my soapbox and mention that Sauternes is not a “dessert” wine. It should be drunk with food, cheeses, or even a full meal paired with white meats, something with ham. Chicken cordon Bleu, fois gras of course. Please try some Sauternes paired with a fine dish. If you haven’t, you are missing the point of what the wine is intended to be.
October 29, 2017 - Chave Hermitage & Brisket (Chez Kailin - Northbrook IL): Small glass, brief. Enjoyable apricot and honeycomb with moderate power. Almost age appropriate, but perhaps slightly older than I'd expect.
September 28, 2013 - Golden color with aromas of apricot and honey. Balanced, with pineapple and apricot qualities on the palate.
August 24, 2013 - Discreet nose of orange peel. Sweet on the palate, delivering subtle flavors of orange peel. Great balance.
February 2, 2013 - A private dinner (Restaurant Colbert, London, UK): Quite a full and evolved colour; still has some fresh fruit on the nose but is mainly crusty and caramelly, quite evolved; still medium-sweet but getting drier, flavours and bitters of green apple, nice roti; good length.
January 24, 2013 - Bronze center with red notes, deep yellow rim.
Rich nose with clear botrytis, honey, candied fruit, a little slate, citrus.
Sweet, rich, botrytis, low tannin, some balancing acidity, citrus (marmalade), some damp cloth, a little petrol on the finish, great length of sweet marmalade.
Has darkened considerably over time, but drinks very well now. Still has some good acidity so will last, but probably sooner rather than later, best with a good cheese.
September 20, 2012 - Floral nose, pleasant enough but I don't have a lot of Sauternes experience so would defer to the other notes here