Château Rabaud-Promis
Sauternes Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon
Sauternes, Graves, Bordeaux, France
2014 vintage. As Sauternes suffers from a lethal combination of high production costs and low demand, it is about time we all start drinking more of it. The 2014 vintage combines a lot of botrytis with high acidity resulting in beautifully balanced wines that are very attractive young but should age beautifully for decades. Rabaud Promis has a long history (a lot of it in common with Sigalas Rabaud), but has been in the hands of the Dejean family for the last 4 generations. In early 2020 Jean Merlaut (Bordeaux négociant and owner of Gruaud Larose) took a majority share in Rabaud Promis, but Thomas Dejean remains the winemaker. And to judge from this terrific effort there is indeed no reason to change the winemaker. 80% Sémillon, 16% Sauvignon blanc and 4% Muscadelle. Brilliant golden yellow. Intoxicating complex perfume of fresh and dried fruits, flowers and subtle roasted flavours combined with an amazing lemony freshness. The mouth confirms this complexity with layers of concentrated fruit, balanced by crispy acidity and a knock-out brown sugar, lemon confit and noble rot "rôti" finish. It has amazing intensity while remaining light on its feet. Fabulous value at 28 euros! Abv. 12,6%. Note: these wines are much more versatile at the table than you think. While foie gras and blue cheese are classic combinations, I tried it today with veal, sautéed carrots and mushrooms and baked potatoes. Works really well. I invite you all to experiment with the culinary possibilities of these wines.
2014 vintage. As Sauternes suffers from a lethal combination of high production costs and low demand, it is about time we all start drinking more of it. The 2014 vintage combines a lot of botrytis with high acidity resulting in beautifully balanced wines that are very attractive young but should age beautifully for decades. Rabaud Promis has a long history (a lot of it in common with Sigalas Rabaud), but has been in the hands of the Dejean family for the last 4 generations. In early 2020 Jean Merlaut (Bordeaux négociant and owner of Gruaud Larose) took a majority share in Rabaud Promis, but Thomas Dejean remains the winemaker. And to judge from this terrific effort there is indeed no reason to change the winemaker. 80% Sémillon, 16% Sauvignon blanc and 4% Muscadelle. Brilliant golden yellow. Intoxicating complex perfume of fresh and dried fruits, flowers and subtle roasted flavours combined with an amazing lemony freshness. The mouth confirms this complexity with layers of concentrated fruit, balanced by crispy acidity and a knock-out brown sugar, lemon confit and noble rot "rôti" finish. It has amazing intensity while remaining light on its feet. Fabulous value at 28 euros! Abv. 12,6%. Note: these wines are much more versatile at the table than you think. While foie gras and blue cheese are classic combinations, I tried it today with veal, sautéed carrots and mushrooms and baked potatoes. Works really well. I invite you all to experiment with the culinary possibilities of these wines.
Dec 8th, 2020
Brown/amber in color. Desiccated stone and tree fruits. Caramel, fruit cake, allspice. Medicinal notes. Less Botrytis than Chateau Coutet Barsac 2014. Low acid. 90/8/2 Semillon/Sauv Blanc/Muscadelle.
Brown/amber in color. Desiccated stone and tree fruits. Caramel, fruit cake, allspice. Medicinal notes. Less Botrytis than Chateau Coutet Barsac 2014. Low acid. 90/8/2 Semillon/Sauv Blanc/Muscadelle.
Nov 8th, 2019
Wednesday Wine Committee “Founder’s Day”, honoring those who started this tradition back in the ‘70s. What an incredible group and tradition they started!
Special wine...this was taken from the cellar of one of the original founders. Loads of orange peel, citrus, banana peel and some caramel. Not nutty, nor overly sweet like many Sauternes. Older than I am!
Wednesday Wine Committee “Founder’s Day”, honoring those who started this tradition back in the ‘70s. What an incredible group and tradition they started!
Special wine...this was taken from the cellar of one of the original founders. Loads of orange peel, citrus, banana peel and some caramel. Not nutty, nor overly sweet like many Sauternes. Older than I am!
Honey, apricot, orange zest and slightly nutty aromas. Balanced and fruity with nice finish.
Honey, apricot, orange zest and slightly nutty aromas. Balanced and fruity with nice finish.
1 person found it helpfulJul 20th, 2016
Joe had this 10 years ago
Joe had this 10 years ago
1 person found it helpfulApr 5th, 2015
Flight 5 - A Sweet Ending
The last flight of the evening was a flight of 3 Sauternes, including the great Chateau d'Yquem. Rabaud-Promis and Raymond-Lafon were the only ones showing unfortunately as the d'Yquem was corked enough that we knew it and thus wasn't judged. Both the RL and RP were a blend of 80-20 Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, the traditional Sauternes blend. The difference besides the vintage was the oak maturation. RL gets 3 years in new oak while the RP sees only 12-14 months in new oak.
The Raymond-Lafon 1996 showed the 3 full years of new oak and a full on sweet and dry attack of honey, candied peach, and marmalade all accented by the telltale pungency of the fungus botrytis cinerea. Custard and creamy notes delivered here as well amping up the flavor and body perception, with a clean and dry finish.
The RP showed an elegant and lighter attack because of the lighter vintage and less oak used in the maturation process. More notes of juicy stony fruits and sweet citrus showed here. This was a nice contrast to the RL.
Botrytis cinerea, aka "Noble Rot", gives the Sauternes wines a musky, but pure and sweet texture. The fungus evaporates the water in a healthy grape, thus naturally concentrating the juice and flavor in the grape.
Flight 5 - A Sweet Ending
The last flight of the evening was a flight of 3 Sauternes, including the great Chateau d'Yquem. Rabaud-Promis and Raymond-Lafon were the only ones showing unfortunately as the d'Yquem was corked enough that we knew it and thus wasn't judged. Both the RL and RP were a blend of 80-20 Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, the traditional Sauternes blend. The difference besides the vintage was the oak maturation. RL gets 3 years in new oak while the RP sees only 12-14 months in new oak.
The Raymond-Lafon 1996 showed the 3 full years of new oak and a full on sweet and dry attack of honey, candied peach, and marmalade all accented by the telltale pungency of the fungus botrytis cinerea. Custard and creamy notes delivered here as well amping up the flavor and body perception, with a clean and dry finish.
The RP showed an elegant and lighter attack because of the lighter vintage and less oak used in the maturation process. More notes of juicy stony fruits and sweet citrus showed here. This was a nice contrast to the RL.
Botrytis cinerea, aka "Noble Rot", gives the Sauternes wines a musky, but pure and sweet texture. The fungus evaporates the water in a healthy grape, thus naturally concentrating the juice and flavor in the grape.
From 375 ml. Drying out a bit, but still worked well with apple pie.
From 375 ml. Drying out a bit, but still worked well with apple pie.
Oct 17th, 2016
Just a small taste today; testing out the durability of a cork over time with the coravin system so will give this a stress-test of 20+ punches over the next few months. The wine is holding up well; a lovely golden hue with a nose of apricots, mandarins, orange zest, and a hint of creme brûlée. Not the most complex of sauternes but it has plenty of richness and sufficient acidity to bind it all together.
Just a small taste today; testing out the durability of a cork over time with the coravin system so will give this a stress-test of 20+ punches over the next few months. The wine is holding up well; a lovely golden hue with a nose of apricots, mandarins, orange zest, and a hint of creme brûlée. Not the most complex of sauternes but it has plenty of richness and sufficient acidity to bind it all together.
Jan 10th, 2016In a sort of weird in-between stage of aging
In a sort of weird in-between stage of aging
Dec 25th, 2014