2006 Château Guiraud
Community Tasting Note
forceberry wrote:
Tuesday, October 15, 2013 - A blend of organically farmed Sémillon (65%) and Sauvignon Blanc (35%). Fermented for 3-6 weeks and aged for 18-24 months in oak barriques (90% new, 10% 2nd use). 13,96% alcohol, 140 g/l residual sugar and 5,7 g/l acidity. Total production 60,000 bottles.
Honey yellow color. Complex, rich and toasty nose with aromas of nuttiness, honeyed tones, nuanced botrytis notes, some dried peach and a hint of toasted bread. Complex, smooth and medium-to-full-bodied on the palate. Doesn't feel as weighty as the better vintages, but shows still more body and concentration than the 2010 tasted alongside. Very sweet, delicious and surprisingly developed flavors of roasted nuts, almond paste, toasty spices, bergamot, orange marmalade, some dried mirabelle plums, a hint of smoke and a touch of tar. Feels pretty balanced with good, moderate acidity. The finish is long, sticky and complex with flavors of honey, tar, concentrated dried fruits, some vanilla, a little bit of spicy oak and a hint of sweet baking spices.
A lovely, but at that point already surprisingly developed Sauternes from a not-so-great vintage. Doesn't reach the heights of the best vintages and neither does it promise much about aging potential if it is this mature already, but these qualities don't fortunately take away any of its deliciousness. Occasionally Guiraud can be a bit too green when enjoyed too young because of its high proportion of SB, but not this one. Lovely depth and complexity with a peculiar, tarry character. I would've welcomed a bit higher acidity, as the wine became a bit plump in the glass as it warmed up, so serving the wine cool enough is highly recommended. Not really a Sauternes I'd age for a long time; enjoy within 15-20 years from the vintage.
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