Dreamy, subtle aromas of dried fruit such as apricots and mangoes, but also fresh lemons and pears. Then there are caramel and tart tatin undertones with some bananas, pineapple, tangerines and other tropical fruit...

The 1955 Rivesaltes is a VdN that I have tasted a couple of times with winemaker Philippe Gayral. It has a similar nose to the one I had before: hazelnut mixed with hints of crème brûlée, less of the marzipan element than...

A heavenly dessert wine, the 2015 Château Coutet boasts a huge nose of caramelized citrus, crème brûlée, tangerine, and honeysuckle. With huge richness and sweetness, moderate acidity, a thick, fat mouthfeel and a...

(95–97) Barrel Sample. This wine's ripeness is intense, just hinting at an impressive future. The dry core of botrytis balances the honey and the spice, along with fresh lemon curd. This is likely to be a very fine wine.

(94 - 96 points) A blend of 94% Semillon, 5% Sauvignon Blanc, and 1% Muscadelle, with 158 g/L residual sugar, the 2022 Coutet is pale to medium straw in color. After a little swirling, the nose erupts with gorgeous lime...

(95-97 points) The 2023 Château Coutet is another decadent, powerful Barsac in the vintage. Honeyed orange, toasted spices, sautéed pineapple, and assorted tropical, floral notes all just about jump from the glass, and...

Pale to medium gold in color, the 2009 de Fargues drifts effortlessly out of the glass with gorgeous honeysuckle, candied ginger, tropical fruit preserves and musk perfume scents followed by nuances of beeswax, chamomile...

An intense, honeyed style, with lots of mango, glazed peach, tarte Tatin and maple notes flowing together, backed by toasted coconut and warm almond details through the finish. This is deep and ridiculously rich, yet...

A monumental bottle of Sauternes despite a moderate level of residual sugar (122 grams per liter), the 2006 d'Yquem displays a singular, distinctive and elegant bouquet with aromas of thyme, sage, curry, baked pineapple...

The 2007 d'Yquem is considered a perfect example of the Sauternes "miracle." Despite a chaotic spring and cool summer, the botrytis transformed the grapes, giving them ideal concentration throughout October. With 137...

(WE 96-98 points) Impressively balanced, with the fruit rich, intense with a golden glow. The acidity is as important as the freshness, giving a delicious lift to the core of dry, concentrated botrytis. Obviously a great...

(WE97-99 points) Apricot tones with lively acidity give this rich wine a vein of freshness. Pear and white peach notes offer weight, while a lime backbone brings levity. There is a richness from the botrytis that is...

Light, yellow, gold in color, the wine pops on the nose with its showy display of flowers, honeysuckle, candied apricots, orange rind, pineapple, mango, lemongrass, vanilla and spice. Perched on the corner of richness...

On the fresh, bright vibrant, racy side of the style range with a focus on its complex core of honeysuckle, dried oranges, apricots, lemon curd, saffron, marzipan, pineapple, vanilla, and just the right drizzle of honey...

For a 2004, this is big and rich, but that is to be expected from Guiraud. The fruit is magnificently ripe, with flavors of peach and tangerine syrup along with the core of botrytis and dark honey. The aftertaste is...

Pale to medium gold in color, the 1998 Suduiraut gives delicate lemon pastilles and lime cordial notions with peach blossoms, honeycomb and ceps in the background. Both unctuous and refreshing in the mouth, some...

A wonderful and fascinating wine with a tangy sweet and sour character. Full and very sweet, with a dried citrus character and an underlying orange marmalade note. Long and delicious already. Lovely balance for having...

Lively and elegant, the 2006 Suduiraut reveals aromas of baked pineapple, ripe orchard fruits, spices and a vanilla pod mingled with delicate notes of caramel. Medium to full-bodied, rich and seamless, it’s perfectly...

The 1945 Rivesaltes has a burnished amber colour, very clear in the glass. The bouquet is quite oxidative and nutty in style, hints of cigar humidor and peaty aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with tangy marmalade...

The 2005 Climens has an intense nose, dried honey and a touch of glycerine, tangerine and barley sugar. The palate is well balanced with a viscous opening, tangy marmalade mixed with white peach and white pepper, gaining...

Beautiful aromas of orange zest are followed by gingerbread caramel and crème brûlée flavors. This is a beautiful rich smoothly dense wine with a core of botrytis spice and vivid fresh citrus acidity.

Tasting through the individual lots with Berenice Lurton what comes across are the components of a crisp refreshing minerally Climens that may not have as much botrytis as previous vintages but will have a thrilling sense...

The 2010 Climens, made from 100% Semillon, is medium lemon-gold colored. It charges out with notes of lemon butter, dried apricot, and mango with hints of oyster shells, white pepper, and straw. It delivers loads of...

A harmonious white, with vivid complexity, offering glazed yellow fig, persimmon and Bosc pear notes intertwined with ginger, chamomile, marzipan and heather details. Notes of spice and honeysuckle waft on the long...

(97-98 points) The intensely yellow colored 2020 Vouvray Le Mont Moelleux Première Trie is highly concentrated and complex on the nose that exhibits candied lemon zest and chutney aromas along with calcareous and walnut...

This 2021 Le Mont Sec fills the mouth with pear, pineapple, nectarine and violet flavors. There's a sense of seduction and succulence through the middle of this wine. The flint and the coolness of the site seem to bring a...

The 2022 Le Mont Sec is a parcel of Chenin planted on clay with scattered flint, giving a certain tension to the style you certainly don't find in the come-hither Clos du Bourg. Its supple, concentrated core of fruit sits...