Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Chateau Guiraud is mainly known for amazing Sauternes terroir-driven (botrytis-styled) wines, natural vineyards and very jealous preserving the genetic sources of its grape varieties.
This 2020 vintage was released to honor its 10th anniversary of being AB (“Agriculture Biologique”) certified, and also was a very good year for a great white wine.
An outstanding blend of Sauvignon blanc 70%, Sémillon 30%, with an unique vilification process; fermentation was for 3 weeks in barrels having previously been used for the vinification of its flagship Sauternes and underwent through MLF at 35%, and aging in barrels for 12 months.
The nose welcomes all baked tropical fruits and very distant hint of white flowers. As for tasting, a very rich and texturized white with gentle acidity and creamy lemon zest with an impressive silky mouthfeel, it also has a subtle astringency with undertones of delicacy towards the back-end of the palate.
This wine seats next to my most preferred complex, age-worthy whites as Gran Vin de Bordeaux. Salute! — 5 days ago

Martinez

9.0

Blend of Grenache (80%) and Mourvedre (20%) from 6 parcels in the Palastor, Bois Dauphin and Cabrières lieux-dits, located around the road to Orange in the cooler, northern part of the Châteauneuf du Pape AOC. From 60-80 years old vines Gradassi inherited from his grandfather rooted on sandy and clay soils, with few galets roulés (round river stones). Whole-bunch fermentation in cement vats. Aged for 10 months in older barriques. Intense, complex and fabulously aromatic, with aromas of dark fruit, garrigue, licorice and an edge of graphite/gunpowder. Big and powerful (14.5%) yet balanced. Earthy, leathery qualities and some chewy tannins. — 4 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.5

2009 vintage ( half bottle). Looks more evolved than the 2010 tasted alongside. But it is also much more complex. Intense perfume showing an abundance of noble rot, with roasted nuts, pineapple, honey, and a hint of thyme. Concentrated and layered, perfectly balanced and very long. Seems to be a notch above the 2010 today — 6 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

This is a second label Sauternes. Deep straw color. 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc. Intense nose that features raisins, pear, vanilla and a bit of citrus. Just a bit of a floral note. Dense ripe fruit and honey flavors. Hint of oak. Mouth coating texture. Nice way to end the day. Thank You for sharing Ron B! — 3 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Really nice white. (50/50 Sauv Blanc and Semillon). Yellow apple, lemon zest and peach. Minerals and chalk on the creamy finish. Vibrant and fresh. — 6 years ago

with John and Tom

Kelsey Dayman

9.2

Good wine shared with Cindy and Evan in Dauphin. Had already been drinking but it was very smooth and bold. Would like to try again before having had a different kind of wine before it. — 6 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.5

2010 vintage. Technically a Barsac, but sold as Sauternes ( Barsac being the only Sauternes commune allowed to do so). Much deeper, more evolved colour compared to the 2010 Guiraud (in half bottle!) tasted alongside. Intense perfume with wild apricot, roasted pineapple, and caramelised nuts. Richer than the Guiraud, this is a very impressive effort that is definitely of Cru Classé quality. Superb value too. — 6 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Happy New Year!🎈🎆🎊

This is a pairing I’ve been talking about doing for a decade but, couldn’t find a bakery to make one. So, I had to make it. The Sauternes is a 96. The pairing is a 10

Everything about the Sauternes is married in the pineapple upside down cake. Old school meets old school. Clemens the second best Sauternes producer after D’ Yquem.

At En Primeur in 2014, we spent a day in Sauternes & Barsac…eight Chateau’s and multiple vintages. We component tasted at Clemens. Great day. The highlight wasn’t D’Yquem, it was component tasting at Clemens. After eight Chateau’s, we went to Guiraud to taste 50 more Sauternes in an hour and then dinner. When we finished the 50 Sauternes, I wanted to go to the dentist for a teeth cleaning rather than have dinner I had so much RS in my mouth. Tasted nearly 2500 wines in 6 days.

This note is being written the next day with leftover Pineapple Upside down cake and 2003 Clemens.

This has a classic Sauternes nose of heather honey, marmalade, dry citrus and stone fruits with nuts with skin & waxy notes.

The palate is super thick, lush, waxy with ripe botrytis fruits of dry; pineapple, stone fruits. Orange-tangerine, lemon, lime, grapefruit citrus, marmalade, honey dripping, coconut shavings, nuts with skin, candied walnuts, saline, white spice, caramel, vanillin, wet marl, soft but strong edgy chalk, molasses notes, fruit blossoms, yellow lilies & flowers, spring white florals, excellent, very round acidity, balanced, excellent structure, well woven and smartly polished finish that lasts minutes.

From 750 ml — a year ago

Christy S

9.0

We had chicken and a spicy pasta — 6 years ago

Peter Ould

8.9

Dangerously tasty. Cherry and subtle grape. — 7 years ago