Bordeaux 2011 en primeur results (Part 12)

Report 12 (May 6, 2012)GREAT SAUTERNES – BUT STUNNING BARSACS !In 2011, for the very first time, Barsac saw botrytis appear earlier (beginning of September) and above all, spread faster than in the Sauternes appellation. We know from experience - even if the area prides itself on its successive sorting phases spread in time and although such occurences are few and far between - that results are far better when botrytis is swift to take over the vineyard and when it happens on a massive scale; it is then said to be cleaner and of a higher quality because it does not have to compete so much with other microscopic fungi also thriving on dampness. 1990, 2009 and 2011 all follow this pattern.Doisy Daëne, Coutet, Nairac, l'Extravagant have produced four stunning wines: roasted yet extremely fresh and lively on the nose, rich in residual sugar but with no heaviness on the palate thanks to botrytis, lifted and fresh thanks to the limestone sub-soil.In Sauternes, mostly situated on gravel soil, the fruit is more stewed (pointing to a late harvest) and the wines less vibrant, bouncy and magically structured. The botrytis settled in the vineyards later on in September and showed lesser elegance. As for the reds, the plots on gravel soil suffered more from the shortage of water than those on clayey sub-soils. SWEET WHITES 2011: 29 wines reviewedBASTOR LAMONTAGNE Sauternes 14,75 // 85 - 86 BROUSTET Barsac 14,5 // 85 CAILLOU Barsac 14,75 - 15 // 85 - 86 CANTEGRIL Sauternes 15,75 // 88 Pale greenish hue. As refreshing as a dry white on the nose, with plenty of fruit. Delicate on entry, sappy, fragrant and then layered after the mid-palate. Juicy elegant finish – more distinctively sauvignon than usual. A blend of 80% sémillon and 20% sauvignon. CLOS HAUT PEYRAGUEY Sauternes 17 // 92 Shimmering yellow gold. Subdued nose of fruit. Soft melting palate boasting tactile finesse and plenty of taste. Nuanced and subtle mid-palate followed by a wonderfully fragrant and long persistence offering exquisite tactile feel. COUTET Barsac 17,25 // 93 Shimmering yellow gold. Lush fruit on the nose, with touches of stewed white fruit. Terrific plump entry then melting, fragrant and tasty – with superb presence on the mid-palate. Unusually ethereal finish. Great length. Very cottony tactile feel on the palate and yet showing no heaviness whatsoever. Stunning.D'ARCHE Sauternes 15,5 // 87 - 88 Light straw colour. Subdued nose of stewed fruit. Plenty of fruit on the soft, smooth and melting mid-weight palate. Average length.D'YQUEM Sauternes 17,5 // 94 Youthful greenish straw. Delicately stewed notes coming through on the intense, layered and generously fruity nose. Exquisite and lacey tactile finesse on entry followed by fireworks of lush fruit on the floral palate slowly revealing finely stewed fruit and cherry-plum. Powerful, superbly melting finish with great array of taste unfurling in the persistence. Good length.DE FARGUES Sauternes 16,75 // 91 Light straw colour. Delicate, fresh nose of fruit and botrytis. Superb melting entry leading to lush fruit, elegant tactile nuances, plenty of taste and a beautifully vibrant liveliness on finish. Wonderfully tasty and lingering finish. Absolutely lovely. DE MALLE Sauternes 14,75 - 15 // 85 - 86 DE MYRAT Barsac 14 // 84 DOISY DAENE liquoreux Barsac 17,25 // 93 Youthful greenish hue. Clean, elegant and lush nose of fruit. Subtle, melting and crammed with taste on the palate. Powerful wine offering 180g residual sugar and yet wrapping the mouth with delicate tactile finesse. Long sophisticated and stewed length. A stunner! A blend of 92% sémillon and 8% sauvignon.DOISY VEDRINES Sauternes 15,75 // 88 Shimmering gold with greenish hue. Subdued nose of fruit. Smooth tasty palate laden with fruit through to the average length.EXTRAVAGANT de DOISY DAENE Barsac 18,5 // 96 Pale straw. Elegant, generous and subtle nose of smoke, fruit and truffle. Nuanced, graceful entry leading to a deliciously melting palate, with streaks of truffle and candied fruit and exquisite tactile finesse. Roasted yet long and delicate finish. Showing botrytis, wonderfully long and quite simply delicious. Alcohol content: 13° - pH: 3.7 - Total acidity: 4.2 - Residual sugar: 240g/l. This year again, the top wine of the vintage.FILHOT Sauternes 15 // 86 Could there be something in the air at Filhot? I find this wine much more detailed - and cleaner - on the nose than in the past. It is also more structured on the palate. The 2011 Filhot offers scents of truffle on the nose and a balanced palate boasting plenty of savours and a lovely tactile feel. Average length on finish.GUIRAUD Sauternes 16,5 // 90 Shimmering yellow gold. Gorgeous, minty, fresh and clean nose of spices. Pretty and subtle entry leading to a melting and tasty presence on the palate. Showing good balance, if moderately powerful. Sophisticated and scented length.LA CLOTTE CAZALIS Sauternes 16 // 88 - 89 Shimmering yellow gold. Intense, elegant pear nose with distinctive semillon scents. Mouth-filling and melting palate crammed with fruit. Run through with sophisticated fragrances and wrapping the palate with a superb tactile feel. Impossible not to swallow! A stunner!LA TOUR BLANCHE Sauternes 16,25 // 89 Shimmering yellow gold. Nose of stewed fruit. Caressing entry leading to layers of fruit and taste on the mid-weight palate. Smooth, fresh and thoroughly pleasant finish. Average length.LAFAURIE PEYRAGUEY Sauternes 15,5 - 15,75 // 87 - 88 Pale straw. Clean and subtle nose of fruit. Pulpy, fruity and melting palate – more lifted than in the past. Good tasty and pleasant length.LAMOTHE Sauternes 14,5 // 85 LAMOTHE GUIGNARD Sauternes 14,75 - 15 // 85 - 86 NAIRAC Barsac 17,5 // 94 Youthful greenish hue. Fresh, fragrant nose of lime, fruit and vanilla with touches of exotic fruit. Plump yet vibrant and smooth entry leading to a juicy, even, deliciously melting and long performance through to the lush lingering finish with citrus notes coming to the fore in the persistence.RABAUD PROMIS Sauternes 15,5 // 87 - 88 Shimmering yellow gold. Stewed fruit on the nose. Soft, pleasant, moderately dense and offering tactile finesse on the palate. Average length.RAYNE VIGNEAU Sauternes 16 // 88 - 89 Shimmering yellow gold - the most golden of all the 2011 Sauternes. Fresh nose of fruit. Soft, ethereal and melting palate, with taste and a streak of white fruit running through. Good juicy length on finish.RIEUSSEC Sauternes 16,25 // 89 Youthful greenish hue. Intense and delicately stewed nose of fruit. Soft entry; melting mid-palate revealing delicate touches of vanilla; tasty and rather elegant length on finish. Alcohol content: 14°3 - pH: 3.79- AT: 3.09. Residual sugar: 147g/l.ROMER DU HAYOT Sauternes 14,75 - 15 // 85 - 86 SIGALAS RABAUD Sauternes 16,5 // 90 2011 confirms the revival of this cru which has resumed its place amongst the leading labels in Sauternes. Shimmering gold. Nose of fruit and vanilla. The cru stands out well among the Sauternes this year thanks to its plump, generous tasty and fruity palate. Delicately syrupy and sappy finish. Utterly delicious and highly recommended.SUAU Barsac 14,5 // 85 SUDUIRAUT Sauternes 16 // 88 - 89 Shimmering gold. Oak and fruit defining the nose. Lush, generous fruit on the soft, fruity and melting mid-weight palate. Good persistence.Kind regards.Jean-Marc Quarin __________________________________________________________________________ © Copyright 2010. This publication is the original work of Jean-Marc Quarin Sarl, 10 allée de Ginouilhac, BP 40, Le Taillan-Médoc. France. - E-mail : jmquarin@quarin.com The news media and subscribing wine distributors, importers and retailers may use portions of this material (such as tasting notes, ratings or quotes) provided that it is not distorted, the proper wine and vintage are stated, www.quarin.com is given credit for the material utilized, and Jean-Marc Quarin (JMQ) is shown as the Copyright holder.

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Bordeaux 2011 en primeur results (Part 12)

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