Château Guiraud - Sauternes 2009 (375ml)

 

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96

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96

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Producer	Château Guiraud
Country	France
Region	Bordeaux
Subregion	Sauternes
Varietal	Semillon,  Sauvignon Blanc,  Muscadelle
Vintage	2009
Sku	2678
Size	375ml

The first growth is produced from a 85ha of Sauternes appellation vines. Only Semillon and Sauvignon are planted at Guiraud with a pruning "à cots" or "in fan" for the Semillons and long branches for the Sauvignons. Harvest is only done hand picking by successive waves through the vineyard (2 to 7 selections), picking only the botrytised berries. A minimum of potential alcohol (20°) must be reached before starting the harvest. The fermentation made in new oak barrels over a period of three weeks to two months. Different batches are fermentated until they reach their own equilibrium which depends upon their selection. Chaptalisation, cryoextraction and any other technique used to enrich the wine are absolutely prohibited. The ageing in barrels last 24 months.

Tasted as part of a vertical held at the chateau. The 2009 Guiraud has a complex, precocious bouquet with honeysuckle and jasmine notes, hints of dried honey and white peach. It is tightly wound but very precise. The palate is pure and tense in the mouth – great precision here once again with superbly integrated oak and a lovely, seductive, very viscous botrytis-laden finish. In many ways the 2009 represents the wine that every vintage since 1983 would love to be. Drink 2018-2040+ Tasted April 2013.

This is a bird of a different feather, with an exotic, vibrant aroma of toasted coconut, followed by an almond cream note that gives way to the core of green fig, papaya, Cavaillon melon and honey. There's stunning richness and mouthfeel, with the power to be one of the longer-lived wines of the vintage. Very impressive. Best from 2015 through 2040. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 11,000 cases made. –JM

Gorgeous aromas of dried apricots, apple pie crust and pineapple. Full-bodied, with medium sweetness. Dense and layered. Beautiful now but will improve with age. Drink or hold.