Working With Wine Highlights: Flight 3 2007 Sauternes

You’re probably best starting here for this series of posts.

The 3rd flight introduced some bottle age into the equation and, despite it being another strong vintage, I was less convinced (compared to the ’13s). This vintage seems in an odd phase that is not quite primary and not quite secondary either.

According to Sandrine the 2007 Sauternes vintage was great for noble rot, with a big crop (‘we harvest everything’).

I have some ’09 Raymond Lafon in the cellar and, based on this showing, I’m thinking now is not the right time to be opening them…

Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey 2007

Golden yellow. Slightly wishy-washy and volatile nose. Nice general lemony palate but it seems flat and the light lemon fruit a bit short. Pretty, but falls away. Lesser in this company and a bit flat but would be a graceful drink elsewhere. 17/20, 90/100.

Chateau Rieussec 2007

Much more classic. Pineapple and butter. Rather tangy and alcohol? Lots of botrytis. Seems a bit overtaken by bot and without the bright ripe fruit. Good and has some lovely buttery lemon fruit, without hitting high notes. Gee some concentration though. This will surely look better with more time in bottle. 18/20, 93/100+

Chateau Suduiraut 2007

Fragrant and lemony. Very rich and has a thick honeyed character to it. Warm finish. Maybe not the classic energy but lots of power. Lots and lots of rot. Can really notice the creamy oak here. Lots of glory in this form. 18.5/20, 94/100

Chateau Guiraud 2007

40% Sauvignon Blanc. Deeper gold. The darkest of the lineup. Lemon barely sugar. Another wine without the real richness, it’s just a bit sullen with a hint of sultana. Less classic. I find this just a little tinny, despite the beautiful honey lemon finish. 17.5/20, 91/100+

Chateau d’Yquem 2007

How is this so very different? Instantly it smells more like a more classic, creme brûlée etched Sauternes. Much more concentration. Notice the dusty bot character, but it can’t derail the slamming mega power palate. Plenty of oak fills in some holes here. Sublime power. Instantly a bigger, badder wine compared to the other wines in the lineup. Stunning. 18.7/20, 95/100+