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 — a month ago

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

Peter Ould

8.9

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

Stefan Dolhain

9.6

2022 vintage. Lots of changes in 2022, as Xavier Planty sold his shares to Matthieu Gufflet. Xavier's son, Luc Planty took care of a smooth transition ( check him out for his ambitious project at Château de Malle!) when Sandrine Garbay (Château Yquem's maître de chai for more than 2 decades) was nominated as a general manager. Her first vintage is excellent, with beautiful aromatics (roasted pineapple, vanilla, mango, honey, and flowers). Layered and intense with lots of botrytis, but also an amazingly refreshing acidity which reminds me of the 2014 Sauternes vintage. Exquisite balance, layered, and with a very long, fresh finish with a subtle almond bitterness. Excellent, and still very affordable for this quality. A pleasure to taste now, but I expect true magic in a decade or more. Ab. 13,5%. — a month 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! — 2 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. — 5 years ago

with John and Tom

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. — a month ago

Karyn Fricke

9.0

Stone fruit aromas of peaches and apricots. Touch of minerals, not too much acidity. Easy drinking on its own or with food. — 9 months ago

Brandon Boesch

9.9

One of the best. So smooth. What makes this oriel so great is the creaminess on the finish. It’s definitely tart, but the balance is perfect. — 5 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.3

Very tasty. Quite balanced. Very much enjoyed over asparagus with @Bryce Wiatrak at Oriel. Almost mistakable for a delicious pastille-rich gamay hint not a bad thing I love gamay. Totally sippable and pleasant and dang! If you are doing Oriel do a bottle. I’m on a mission to get more folks into bottles. Wine is infinitely more fun shared! — 7 years ago