Vinous – Neil Martin – 94-96/100
The 2023 Lafaurie-Peyraguey has a pure and perfumed bouquet with dried honey, peony, orange blossom and quince aromas that are very well defined. The palate is well balanced with a viscous opening and superb acidity, flush with very pure marmalade, quince and apricot flavors. Incredibly persistent on the finish, this is a very impressive Sauternes.
Vinous – Antonio Galloni – 92-94/100
The 2023 Guiraud, now made by former Yquem winemaker Sandrine Garbay, has a rather reticent nose at first, opening with orange pith and pear aromas. It just needs a bit more intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with a tangy opening. It’s a little spicier than its peers—marmalade and stem ginger, with more peachiness toward the finish. It feels harmonious and poised, but I would wait until the aromatics open, so give it four to five years after bottling.
Vinous – Antonio Galloni – 98-100/100
The 2023 Suduiraut (100% Sémillon) is a real stunner. Light on its feet yet wonderfully deep, the 2023 offers up a heady mix of tangerine oil, mint, white flowers, apricot and passion fruit. Readers will find a Sauternes that is more finesse than power. The 2023 is essentially a blend of three picks. The first was done at the end of September and accounted for 20% of the crop. The core of the vineyard, about 75%, was picked in a day ten window in October, following the September rains. A smaller third pick rounded out the harvest.
Vinous – Neil Martin – 95-97/100
The 2023 Doisy-Daëne, a blend of 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, takes time to unfurl on the nose. Notes of lemon curd, dried peach and a touch of marmalade are all nicely defined, developing subtle pithy elements with aeration. The palate is just wonderful. Very harmonious with perfectly judged acidity, it’s extremely pure with a tensile finish. This is Barsac in full flight. It will be outstanding once bottled. Bravo!
Vinous – Neil Martin – 95-97/100
The 2023 L’Extravagant de Doisy-Daëne is pure Sémillon, as usual. This is much more streamlined and controlled than other vintages— less hedonistic, with fine delineation and more mineralité.The palate is outstanding, showcasing shimmering, citrus-fresh Clementine and peach notes. It’s less unctuous than other vintages, though perhaps that is due to the acidity (5.4 grams per liter). This fans out wonderfully on the finish. Fabulous.
Vinous – Neil Martin – 94-96/100
The 2023 Coutet has a tightly-wound bouquet that demands more coaxing than its peers. It typically already possesses laser-sharp focus and is less flamboyant than fellow Barsacs, underpinned and sharpened by its limestone soils. The palate is well balanced with intense botrytised fruit, lightly spiced dried honey and orange rind notes, just a hint of apricot in the background, stretching out on the finish that lingers on the tongue. I am not sure it is the best Coutet in recent years, but it is certainly a very fine contribution to the vintage that should age well in bottle.
Vinous – Neil Martin – 92-94/100
The 2023 Château de Rayne-Vigneau has an intense nose that currently shows a bit of oak; that will be integrated with time. The palate is sorbet-fresh on the entry with tangy marmalade, peach and saffron notes. There is an undercurrent of stem ginger that lends a bit more complexity on the finish. Once the aromatics cohere, as I am sure they will, this will constitute a fine Sauternes. Give it four to five years once bottled.
