Sunday, February 23, 2014

Sauternes Vintage Report

Vintage

Score

Drink Rec

Description

2012

84-87

NYR

Botrytis formed, but with constant rains and no warm, sunny patches during harvest, the grapes couldn't get concentration. The best Sauternes are friendly but loosely knit, lacking depth; some top châteaus did not produce a grand vin. Barsac fared much better, with some excellent wines

2011

94-97

NYR

Botrytis arrived early and quickly, while the cool second half of the season allowed grapes to retain acidity. Wines are racy, detailed, pure and driven; should rival '01

2010

93

Hold

Botrytis arrived late and quickly. Wines are clean, round and dense, though not as complex as '09 or '01

2009

96

Hold

Terrific companion vintage to the reds, with ripe, powerful botrytis character; easily the best since '01

2008

90

Hold

Marked by tangy acidity; not broadly ripe, but some are showy enough

2007

92

Hold

Lots of botrytis led to a rich, tropical fruit and raisined-style vintage with rounded, hedonistic wines

2006

91

Drink or hold

Not as dense as top years, but fresh, vibrant wines with lively acidity

2005

93

Hold

Opulent and structured, with underlying finesse

2004

89

Drink or hold

Harmonious, aromatic and spicy; for early drinking

2003

95

Drink or hold

Exotic, ripe and spicy; good botrytis

2002

87

Drink

Small crop; clean and spicy, with good fruit

2001

97

Drink or hold

Magnificently rich and structured, yet balanced

2000

87

Drink or hold

Most of the crop was rained on; only small quantities of good wine

1999

90

Drink or hold

Creamy, rich and spicy

1998

88

Drink

Elegant, refined and delicious

1997

92

Drink or hold

Balanced, racy and structured; classy

1996

89

Drink or hold

Spicy, rich and round; generous style

1995

87

Drink

Sweet and balanced; uneven quality

1992

72

Drink

Light, straightforward, diluted and medium sweet

1991

77

Drink

Moderately sweet, attractive apertif wines

1990

97

Drink

Harmonious, rich and racy

1989

98

Drink

Loads of botryitis; opulent and structured

1988

93

Drink

Elegant and refined

1987

79

Drink

Clean and appealing, with little botrytis

1986

90

Drink

Charming, lively and fresh; spicy and sweet

1985

79

Drink

Little botrytis character; clean and sweet

1984

68

Drink

A wet, difficult harvest; a few good wines

1983

95

Drink

Intense, complex and rich

1982

77

Drink

Mostly fat, alcoholic and sweet

1981

83

Drink

Medium richness; finely balanced wines

1980

82

Drink

Good year; balanced, lightly botrytized wines

1976

93

Drink

Exotic, thick and powerful

1975

94

Drink

Harmonious, lively, spicy and sweet

1971

91

Drink

Supple, refined and long

1967

97

Drink

Classic; long-lived, everything is there

1959

98

Drink

Concentrated, lots of botrytis

A score range indicates preliminary analysis based on barrel samples and/or a limited sampling; many wines of the vintage not yet reviewed.

Vintage ratings: 95-100, classic; 90-94, outstanding; 85-89, very good; 80-84, good; 75-79, mediocre; 50-74, not recommended

Drinkability: "NYR" means the vintage has not yet been released; "drink" means most of the wines of the vintage are ready to drink; "hold" means most of the ageworthy wines have yet to fully mature; "past peak" means most of the wines are declining rather than improving.

SOURCE: WINE SPECTATOR

 

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