Shay A

9.8

Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.

I’ve had a few days to think on this wine, and I finally feel comfortable saying this is the greatest dessert wine I’ve ever had the pleasure of drinking. 100% semillon. Each grape is picked one-by-one by hand. This was the 9th time this wine was made since 1943.

Between dark gold and deep amber in color. Aromas of honeyed tropical fruits and sweet espresso that fill the room like a candle. Unctuous and oily on the palate, there is coconut richness with an insane amount of brown sugar and orange marmalade too…honey roasted cashews, pineapple upside down cake. As massive as this is, it still has structure but also a vein of acidity to keep this thing afloat. At 35yrs, this is unbelievably good and shockingly youthful. If you have a bottle, it’s no good. Send to me so that I can dispose of it for you… — 5 days ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.2

I took no notes but truly excellent Barsac. — a year ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Jerry Kahn

8.9

Total different taste than New Zealand Sauvignon Blanco, but delectable.
— a year ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

8.9

Great entry level sauternes for younger drinking. — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1986 vintage. From 375 ml's. Double decanted and tasted across five separate bottles over the course of 5 hours. Consistently excellent. Oodles of peach and tangerine along with the usual, age appropriate, honeyed/dried fruits flavors. Showing really nicely and should so for the foreseeable future. 3.14.24. — a month ago

Shay A

9.4

My second set of wines to provide as part of a co-host event.

I picked these up during a visit to Morlet in the fall of ‘21. Sadly, these are the last of my initial stash. 58 semillon/36 SB/6 Muscat.

Poured blind for a group of 20 people at the end of a wine event, I was shocked that not one single person called this Cali. Many Sauternes, Barsac, and a few South African dessert wine guesses. It’s undeniably sporting botrytis flavors, but the richness has a wonderful spine of acidity. Honeyed mango, white peach and chock-full of orange blossom on the nose, there’s added candied spice and honeycomb on the palate. Didn’t pick up any nutty flavors (which I enjoy in Sauternes), but this was also fairly young. Extremely “fresh” for a dessert wine, if that makes sense. Best Cali dessert wine I’ve had, I think. — 4 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

1983 vintage. A beauty at 40 years old in this excellent Sauternes vintage. Amber colour. Intense perfume with dried figs, roasted hazelnuts, coffee and caramel and a fresh lemony touch. In the mouth it features a juicy acidity balancing the delicate sweetness. Complexity and balance. Long nutty finish. — a year ago

Alex Patrone

9.5

Orange peel marmalade, apricot, spices?, tropical fruits (notably pineapple). Honey with subtle (Brazilian nut) nutty quality. Very faint hint of cheese. Rich, fairly complex, and lasting. Just lovely. — a month ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.5

Awesome bottle. medium dark amber robe, nose of compote fruits and flowers, very rich and decadent in the mouth but with a sort of drier finish on a fresh and balanced note. Would have never even hinted at 1937 had we tasted blind. Very very young Barsac that makes you think of the 70s good vintages. Top stuff and wish we had bought a couple more bottles...
— 4 months ago

Shay A

9.2

Alexander Vineyards has a great selection of wines, all at great values. This is their only dessert wine, and it has been delicious every time I’ve had it.

Last bottle of mine. This is from the Barsac region. Richly colored gold in the glass. Viscous, but not overly so. If comparing to a Climens, I’d say this doesn’t have as much of the orange-honey roasted cashew type note, but lots of orange marmalade, honeyed tropical fruits and honeysuckle. This showed a more powerful core than a 2009 LaTour Blanche I had a few weeks ago (which I enjoyed how bright it was). Paired with truffle salted popcorn at the end of the night, and it was great. — a year ago