PV Tasting Notes
Lovely gold colour, lively on the nose with citrus zest and toffee drenched almonds, the palate is dense and viscous with an orange flavour dominating the mid palate, this is not overly sweet, and the acidity keeps the palate fresh and juicy, the finish has an almost salty honeyed semi dried apricot feeling, totally gorgeous. Tasted Mar 2008.
Independent Review93 Points Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate April 2010
This has a very primal nose, the oak exposed at the moment although there is obviously a great deal of fruit concentration underneath. The palate is well balanced, a little oaky on the entry, dried honey, lemon curd, apricot and orange peel towards the linear finish. Tightly coiled Sauternes, quite modern in style, this should develop over 8-10 years in the bottle before really opening up and one hopes, evolve a little more “personality”. Drink 2011-2025.
19/20 Points Jancis Robinson Pink Pages April 2008
Sweet, vaguely sticky nose. Certainly impressive for the sugar level! And there’s an attractive savoury undertow that stops it being sickly. Lots there. Reverberates. Long. Very long. It has that thing that a good Condrieu has: a subtext.
93-96 Points James Suckling The Wine Spectator 2008
Balanced and very spicy, with almond paste and apricot. Full-bodied, medium sweet, with a long, fruity, tangy finish. Layered and stylish. Score range: 93-96 –JS
Often people ask me when is the best time and with what to drink Sauternes? Obviously the classic combinations are with Foie Gras or a rich soft Pate at the beginning of the meal; problem there is it can ruin the palate due to the consummate richness for the remainder of the meal. I like to serve it at the end of the meal with soft cheese, you can serve it with desserts, but a word of warning…don’t serve it with very sugary dishes, this will make the wine taste dry, and why would you want to do that? These are great wines, spectacular and very difficult and expensive to make; at the greatest of all Chateau d’Yquem they make only “one glass per vine” so try not to spoil the experience. I suppose if you faced with a difficult decision, wine with the dessert…taste the wine first, then decide if you want the wine before, during or after.