Château Raymond-Lafon
Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend
Sauternes, Graves, Bordeaux, France
1998 vintage. This estate was acquired in 1972 by former Château Yquem régisseur Pierre Meslier ( who passed away in 2023 at the age of 93). He managed to restore the wines to their former glory, and his 3 children seem to continue on the same path. This 1998 features a brilliant, golden colour, and a nose that immediately shows off the typical roasted botrytis aromas that characterise great Sauternes, intertwined with honey, beewax, maple syrup, lemon confit and flowers. In the mouth, it is succulent and profound, wonderfully achieving that delicate balance between sugar and acidity that makes Sauternes potentially great. Layers of dried and fresh fruit, rich and refreshing at the same time, culminating in a very long finish with a lovely almondy impression. Excellent. Abv. 13,5%.
1998 vintage. This estate was acquired in 1972 by former Château Yquem régisseur Pierre Meslier ( who passed away in 2023 at the age of 93). He managed to restore the wines to their former glory, and his 3 children seem to continue on the same path. This 1998 features a brilliant, golden colour, and a nose that immediately shows off the typical roasted botrytis aromas that characterise great Sauternes, intertwined with honey, beewax, maple syrup, lemon confit and flowers. In the mouth, it is succulent and profound, wonderfully achieving that delicate balance between sugar and acidity that makes Sauternes potentially great. Layers of dried and fresh fruit, rich and refreshing at the same time, culminating in a very long finish with a lovely almondy impression. Excellent. Abv. 13,5%.
Feb 27th, 2024
Truncated party notes. Beautiful. Honey. Apricot. Moist earth.
Truncated party notes. Beautiful. Honey. Apricot. Moist earth.
Feb 18th, 2024
Yesterday’s Wednesday Wine Committee lunch. Normal format of 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine. All tasted blind.
Birth year Sauternes. Classic profile. Honey roasted cashews and orange marmalade aromatics. Rich and sweet notes of apricot and peach on the palate. Powerful yet not overbearing. I called this mid ‘90s Rieussec.
Yesterday’s Wednesday Wine Committee lunch. Normal format of 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine. All tasted blind.
Birth year Sauternes. Classic profile. Honey roasted cashews and orange marmalade aromatics. Rich and sweet notes of apricot and peach on the palate. Powerful yet not overbearing. I called this mid ‘90s Rieussec.
January Wednesday Wine Committees are always a great as the red wines are required to be 11yrs old, making all of the reds 2008 vintage. 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine were served today, all blind.
Another wine that was hard not to get...quintessential Sauternes. Honey comb, honeyed nectarine and peaches, orange blossom. The acidity from this producer (being fairly low), in my experience, lends me to think these are best enjoyed on the younger side (15yrs) as opposed to others than can go 20+.
January Wednesday Wine Committees are always a great as the red wines are required to be 11yrs old, making all of the reds 2008 vintage. 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine were served today, all blind.
Another wine that was hard not to get...quintessential Sauternes. Honey comb, honeyed nectarine and peaches, orange blossom. The acidity from this producer (being fairly low), in my experience, lends me to think these are best enjoyed on the younger side (15yrs) as opposed to others than can go 20+.
Heck of a 3rd Friday to kick off the holidays!
This was my first time with this producer. All the typical Sauternes notes of honeyed fruits, marmalade, toasted cashews...the sweetness wasn’t as precise as Rieussec, Climens or Guiraid up front, but it had the aromatics and front, mid palate in spades. Drinking well now but clearly no rush.
Heck of a 3rd Friday to kick off the holidays!
This was my first time with this producer. All the typical Sauternes notes of honeyed fruits, marmalade, toasted cashews...the sweetness wasn’t as precise as Rieussec, Climens or Guiraid up front, but it had the aromatics and front, mid palate in spades. Drinking well now but clearly no rush.
Tasted side by side with a Quarts de Chaume and the differences were incredible. The amount of money put into this wine is clear. Caramel, toffee, coconut, orange marmalade, ginger, and Asian spices.
Tasted side by side with a Quarts de Chaume and the differences were incredible. The amount of money put into this wine is clear. Caramel, toffee, coconut, orange marmalade, ginger, and Asian spices.
Jul 11th, 2018The 2018 Spring Confrerie dinner was a wonderful time with some great Alsatian wines (and non-Alsatian wines) and fantastic food!
16yrs in and still got plenty of life ahead. Caramel, lush soft fruits like papaya and guava, honeyed cashews.
The 2018 Spring Confrerie dinner was a wonderful time with some great Alsatian wines (and non-Alsatian wines) and fantastic food!
16yrs in and still got plenty of life ahead. Caramel, lush soft fruits like papaya and guava, honeyed cashews.
Rich, ripe, and a perfect ending to a great tasting.
Rich, ripe, and a perfect ending to a great tasting.
Jan 11th, 2018