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Great value Sauternes and Barsac from the wonderful 2016 vintage
Sauternes and Barsac are certainly on a roll. The wonderful 2015's have been followed by glorious 2016's.
First impressions are that the wines are a little more elegant than their 2015 siblings but from what I can see scores are basically the same, if not a little higher in numerous cases.
The late arrival of botrytis shaped the vintage and once again these labour intensive wines are tremendous value.
We offer a fine selection and you are welcome to mix and match.
These wines are incredible value considering the effort required to make them.
Chateau Filhot 2016
375ml $35.50
Wine Advocate: Pale to medium lemon-gold in color, the 2016 Filhot gives pronounced notes of guava, pineapple upside down cake, marzipan, musk perfume, Manuka honey and allspice with a hint of crème brûlée. Full, rich and concentrated, a lovely line of freshness cuts through the dense savory/sweet layers, finishing earthy. 92 Points
Wine Spectator: Ripe, offering apricot, peach and ginger notes, this is focused and streamlined in feel, ending with a piecrust edge. 91-94 Points
Chateau Rabaud Promis 2016
375ml $45.95
 Wine Spectator: The 2016 Rabaud-Promis has a pale to medium lemon color and reveals slowly emerging notions of fragrant earth, fungi, melons, baked peaches, cedar and ginger with a waft of paraffin. The palate is rich, concentrated and satiny with bold flavors and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy. 94 Points
Jancis Robinson: RS 143 g/l, TA 4.25 g/l. Blossomy nose. Lots of richness at first but then masses of grapefruit freshness on the finish. Edgy and chewy for the moment. (Drink between 2024-2040). 17+/20
Chateau Doisy Vedrines 2016
375ml $51.00
 Decanter: Based in Barsac, and has that wonderful spicy tight minerality of a Barsac. A really late harvest this year, right through til the end of October. This has such a beautiful balm yet again for me lacks some pep. It's not a 2007 or 2001 or 2011. But it's gorgeous. The texture of these wines is so crazily seductive and the power and intensity of toasted blood orange slices is stunning, but it would benefit from a lime soaked twist. 93 Points
Wine Enthusiast, Roger Voss: This almost dry wine is full of botrytized fruit tones. Well balanced, it is likely to turn into a rich, dense wine as it matures, with ample acidity that shines on the finish. *Barrel Sample* 93-95 Points
Wine Advocate: The pale lemon colored 2016 Doisy-Vedrines is a little closed to begin, giving way to notes of lemonade, grapefruit, white peaches and yuzu with wafts of ginger, honeycomb and crushed rocks. The palate is wonderfully elegant and refreshing with delicate citrus and mineral layers and a lively citrus lift to the finish. 93+ Points
Chateau Doisy Daene 2016
375ml $56.00
 Jeb Dunnuck: One of the top sweet wines I was able to taste for this report was the 2016 Château Doisy Daëne. It's a powerhouse of a Barsac, boasting a light gold color as well as a huge, exotic perfume of buttered oranges, tropical fruits, lemon curd, and tropical fruits. Deep, full-bodied, thick and opulent on the palate, it stays relatively light on its feet and balanced. It's a thrill a minute and doesn't pull any punches, and I promise it will put a smile on your face. Drink it any time over the coming 20-25 years. (Drink between 2019-2044). 96 Points
Wine Enthusiast, Roger Voss: Barrel Sample. This wine has great freshness, shot through with acidity and a core of dry botrytis. The wine is rich while also structured. It will certainly be a wine to age. 94-96 Points
James Suckling: There's a wealth of rich, ripe apricots and sweetly fragrant peaches here, as well as a gently tropical edge. The palate is fleshy and richly sweet and offers smooth orange-marmalade flavors. Striking elegance and length here. A blend of semillon and sauvignon blanc. Drink or hold. 94 Points
Wine Advocate: Pale lemon in color, the 2016 Doisy Daëne leaps from the glass with flamboyant tropical fruit notions of warm pineapple, guava and passion fruit plus hints of lime cordial, fungi, musk perfume and chalk dust. The palate has loads of earthy/savory layers with great concentration and depth, finishing long and lively. 94 Points
Chateau Sigalas-Rabaud 2016
375ml $58.50
 Wine Advocate: The 2016 Sigalas Rabaud has a pale lemon color and a wonderfully soft-spoken nose of fresh melon, white peaches and ripe pears with suggestions of allspice, jasmine and baking bread plus a waft of lemongrass. The palate is relatively elegant and savory with pristine fruit and lovely freshness, finishing polished with loads of tightly wound layers and a mineral kick. 94 Points
James Suckling: This shows layers of pretty ripe fruit and botrytis spice with some dried mushroom and hazelnut powder. Medium-bodied and medium-sweet with a driven and intense finish. Compact and linear. Drink or hold. 92 Points
Chateau La Tour Blanche 2016
375ml $60.50
750ml $118.00
 Jeb Dunnuck: One of the top Sauternes in this report is the 2016 Château La Tour Blanche, and while 2016 was not a great vintage for the sweet wines of Sauternes, this beauty makes the most of it. Fabulous notes of honeyed peach, tangerine, flower oil, and honeyed citrus all give way to a sexy, full-bodied, flamboyant effort that's already impossible to resist. Drink it any time over the coming two decades. 97 Points
Wine Enthusiast, Roger Voss: Barrel Sample. Structured and concentrated, this is a rich wine that is also fruity and packed with botrytis and acidity. Its texture and tangy edge are impressive and will certainly allow it to age. 94-96 Points
Wine Advocate: The 2016 La Tour Blanche has a typically rich bouquet with clear honey, orange blossom and a touch of dried mango. The palate is very well balanced with crisp acidity, fine tension, great detail on the finish that lingers long in the mouth. This is a superb La Tour Blanche with style and elegance. 94-96 Points
Chateau Guiraud 2016
375ml $62.95
750ml $122.95
 Jeb Dunnuck: One of the top Sauternes in this report is the 2016 Château Guiraud, a brilliant wine from a more challenging vintage for the Sauternes region. Beautiful, powerful notes of sugared peach, blood orange, caramelized pineapple, and honey all give way to a full-bodied Sauternes that has loads of sweetness and richness, yet good acidity as well. It does everything right and will offer up incredible pleasure over the coming 25-30 years. 96 Points
Wine Enthusiast, Roger Voss: This wine is hugely rich while having wonderful acidity at its end. Dense botrytis and a powerful structure go along with the honey and marmalade flavors. It will certainly age well and long. 94-96 Points
Wine Advocate: The 2016 Guiraud has a pale lemon color and opens with musk perfume, paraffin, cedar and spice box notes with a core of lemon tart, honey-drizzled white peaches and kumquat plus a waft of quince paste. The palate has beautiful vibrancy and loads of lively tropical and spicy layers, finishing very long. 95 Points
Decanter: Guiraud walks the line of minerality, florality and richness effectively for me. Lime juice oozes through, you can't hold it back, and your mouth responds. Succulent, with a well judged salinity. Very good. 95 Points
Chateau Coutet 2016
375ml $65.00
750ml $126.95
 Jeb Dunnuck: One of the top sweet wines in this report is the 2016 Château Coutet, which has the vintage's plush, opulent style as well as thrilling purity and good acids. Pineapple, white flowers, sugared peach, and honeyed notes all emerge from this full-bodied, layered, balanced Barsac that's already impossible to resist yet will evolve gracefully 2+ decades. 97 Points
Decanter: Pale lemon colored, the 2016 Lafaurie-Peyraguey gives up bold notions of fresh pineapple, green mango, lemon meringue pie and yuzu zest with touches of beeswax, lime blossoms, toasted almonds and cedar chest. The palate is all class with fantastic poise, purity and precision giving the tropical and citrus layers loads of sparkle through the long finish. 96 Points
James Suckling: The vibrant, tropical fruit-coulis character draws you into this concentrated and elegant Barsac. Then the crisp acidity and a wave of lemon and mineral character comes through, driving the finish out in the direction of the horizon. 95 Points
Wine Enthusiast, Roger Voss: This wine is dense, mingling spicy nutmeg along with superb ripe honey and marmalade flavors. With its balanced acidity and opulence, it is going to be a great wine. 95-97 Points
Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey 2016
375ml $73.50
750ml $143.50
 Jeb Dunnuck: Vying for the top Sauternes in this report, the 2016 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey is made by Valérie Lavigne and is 93% Sémillon, 6% Sauvignon, and 1% Muscadelle that was harvested between September 29th and November 4th. Brought up in one-third new oak, it boasts a beautifully honeyed bouquet of orange blossom, brioche, crushed rocks, and flower oil. Thick, opulent, and straight-up sexy on the palate, it has balancing acidity and a great, great finish. Drink this brilliant Sauternes any time over the coming two decades or more. (Drink between 2019-2039). 97 Points
Vinous, Antonio Galloni: The 2016 Lafaurie-Peyraguey is stunning. Unctuous, layered and supremely beautiful, the 2016 has so much to offer. Baked apple, dried lemon peel, and a host of exotic floral notes all grace this exquisite Sauternes from Silvio Denz. The 2016 is rich and quite deep, and yet retains a striking sense of grace. In a word: gorgeous. (Drink between 2020-2036). 96 Points
James Suckling: This is really crazy. The layers of fruit to this and the sheer intensity are really superb. Full-bodied and very sweet yet energetic and focused. Dense and tight. Tasted it and said OMG right away! 98-99 Points
Lisa Perotti-Brown, Wine Advocate: Pale lemon colored, the 2016 Lafaurie-Peyraguey gives up bold notions of fresh pineapple, green mango, lemon meringue pie and yuzu zest with touches of beeswax, lime blossoms, toasted almonds and cedar chest. The palate is all class with fantastic poise, purity and precision giving the tropical and citrus layers loads of sparkle through the long finish. 95+ Points
Chateau Rieussec 2016
375ml $85.95
750ml $171.50
 Jeb Dunnuck: A step up over the Carmes de Rieussec, the beautiful 2016 Château Rieussec has remarkable purity and freshness while still packing beautiful depth of fruit. Honeyed peach, apricot, flower oil, and even a hint of wet stone all emerge from this full-bodied, thick, opulent effort. I love it. It has a rounded, sexy style ideal for drinking any time over the coming 15-20 years. The 2016 is a final blend of 83% Sémillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle. (Drink between 2019-2039). 97 Points
Vinous, Antonio Galloni: Still in barrel, the 2016 Rieussec is shaping up to be glorious. Ample, rich and super-expressive, the 2016 is a wine of real pedigree and distinction. Pineapple, orange marmalade, spice, apricot and lightly honeyed notes all flesh out. Even with all of its obvious depth and resonance , the 2016 remains gracious, not to mention incredibly delicious. The 140 grams of residual sugar are not especially notable, and so the 2016 is rich but not at all heavy. (Drink between 2021-2056). 94-97 Points
James Suckling: So much botrytis on the nose with spice, dried mushrooms and nutmeg. Dried lemons and mangoes. Full-bodied and medium sweet with density and, at the same time, lightness. I like that it is full of botrytis on the palate at the beginning and then turns fruity and very pretty at the end with citrus and fruit. Balanced, creamy and rich. Try after 2024, but already gorgeous. 97 Points
Lisa Perotti-Brown, Wine Advocate: Pale lemon colored, the 2016 Rieussec comes sashaying out of the glass with a beautiful floral and citrus perfume of orange blossom, pink grapefruit, yuzu, lime leaves, lemongrass and fallen leaves with hints of nutmeg and candied ginger. Having shed a lot of the puppy fat from when I last tasted this from barrel, the palate reveals loads of elegant, tightly wound layers and seamless freshness, finishing long and fragrant. 96+ Points
Chateau Suduiraut 2016
375ml $92.95
 Vinous, Antonio Galloni: The 2016 Suduiraut is fabulous. Crème brulée, passion fruit, tangerine peel and exotic floral notes all race out of the glass. I marvel at how Suduiraut can deliver so much flavor intensity and yet remain so gracious and classy. The 140 grams of residual sugar are very well integrated. This is such a gorgeous wine. 97 Points
Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast: This is a dense wine, full of rich fruit, bitter orange and apricot. Its ripe fruit is balanced by the intense botrytis while it is also freshened by the wine's acidity. This is a great wine with a long-term future. 95-97 Points
Lisa Perotti-Brown, Wine Advocate: Pale lemon in color, the 2016 Suduiraut rocks up out of the glass with notes of honey-drizzled peaches, lime cordial and orange oil plus wafts of lanolin, pie crust and crushed rocks. The palate packs a wallop with intense flavor layers and a gorgeous texture, finishing with fantastic freshness.
95 Points
Jeb Dunnuck: As to the Sauternes, the 2016 Château Suduiraut boasts a medium gold color and a fresh, clean, beautifully perfumed bouquet of orange blossom, honeyed pineapple, and flowers, with notable botrytis, which can be lacking in a number of Sauternes in 2016. With moderate acidity, a fleshy, full-bodied texture, and loads of fruits, it's geared more toward drinking over the coming 10-15 years than any over-the-top cellaring. 95 Points
Chateau Climens 2016
375ml $99.50
750ml $196.50
 Wine Advocate: Pale lemon-gold colored, the 2016 Climens is a little youthfully mute, revealing notions of ripe peaches, mango and musk melon with touches of cedar chest, orange blossoms, candied ginger and baking bread. Bursting in the mouth with vibrant, energetic stone fruit and tropical layers, it is framed by fantastic freshness, finishing long and creamy. 96+ Points
Decanter: Climens hold blending tastings every few weeks during maturation, and generally the final blend is made in the November of the year after harvest. Climens only needed two 'tries' through the vineyard here, which has been the case for two or three years as it goes so smoothly. The first tri took place on 20th September following 40mm of rain in mid September, which helped to kick-start the botrytis. The overall yield of around 20hl/ha mainly avoided mildew, and importantly proved that biodynamics can withstand difficult climatic conditions. They work with individual lots here to ensure the right balance, and tasting through several lots the homogeneity of quality is really impressive this year. The overall impression is of smooth citrus fruits with a succulent, velvety rich texture and a beautiful creaminess. There are toffee and nut notes and a gorgeous focus, with true salinity on the finish. The 3.7pH is very close to last year's acidity analysis. 94 Points
Vinous, Antonio Galloni: I tasted the 2016 Climens from four separate lots identified by location, harvest dates, alcohol, residual sugar and the percentage each lot represents of the harvest. The four wines were remarkably different. The Nord was both plush and tropical-leaning, yet with notable freshness, while the Sud managed to be both deep and also light on its feet. I found the Ouest to be the most precise and aromatically lifted of the samples, while the Est was the most concentrated. A simple, impromptu blend of the four lots suggests the 2016 Climens is shaping up to be a magnificent Barsac. The interplay of the various components is quite remarkable. 93-96 Points
To order please telephone (03) 9326 5737 or email tracey@grandmillesime.com.au. Mix and match as you please. Wines will be available for shipping at the end of this month.
Cheers,
Darren
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