2001 Château de Fargues, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$128.00USD

Château de Fargues probably doesn't get enough recognition and 2001 is one of the all time great vintages in Sauternes.  This was an excellent showing and a great way to finish an evening.  A very cool looking orange/red in color.  The nose has orange peel and honey.  A bit of Crem Brulee.  On the palate, this is viscous although not as sweet as expected (which is fine).  The orange peel carries thru with good acidity.  Plenty of depth.  A very long finish.  Still on the young side, this should develop further.  

1990 Château d'Yquem, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1990
Score: 
99
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$380.00USD

Wow.  Served alongside the 2008 Yquem, it just wasn't fair.  An amazing wine.  Deeper (not too deep) gold in color with just a bit of orange/bronze.  The nose is mazing.  Apricots and honey, slight burnt orange peel and just a whiff of vanilla.  On the palate, this has that great acidity to balance the sweetness.  Tons of apricots, slight peach and a bit of orange.  Layered and complex, it is both fascinating and delicious.  A combination of candy and fruit.  The finish goes on forever.  It will work with the right dessert but really needs none.  It seems to be both mature and will probably

2008 Château d'Yquem, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$345.00USD

There is not much more to offer about Yquem.  It is arguably the finest wine made on the planet.  This bottle was served early in the dinner along side fois gras or a vegetarian starter.  It went quite well.  The bottle had been opened and decanted ahead of time and this bottle seemed to be at just a bit lower than cellar temperature.  Not the best Yquem ever but certainly a very good vintage that is in a good, if young, place right now.  Golden in color.  The nose is slightly sweet with apricots and slight honey.  On the palate, slight peaches, slight honey and apricots with a touch of min

2009 Château Nairac, France, Bordeaux, Barsac, WIne Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

I seem to have had a lot of bottle variation with this one.  Or, given that this is usually the last bottle of the night, maybe it is palate variation.  In any event, this wine is always good to great and this bottle was in the middle.  Deep golden/orange in color.  The nose has honey and apricots.  On the palate, this is sweet but nowhere near cloying.  Enough acidity.  The honey notes come thru and pick up peaches.  Nice finish to the wine and to the evening!

2011 Château d'Yquem, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
99
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$400.00USD

Yquem might be the single greatest wine in the world.  Yes, those are bold words, but it is arguably true.  This bottle was wonderful indeed.  Paired with Mango roses in a Rose water and honey sauce, it was sublime.  Light golden in color, this wine is still quite young.  The nose is amazing with slight apricot, lots of honey and orange peel.  Viscous and sweet, not cloying.  The orange peel and honey carry thru.  The thing about Yquem is the finish.  It goes on forever and ever.  Very nice acidity in 2011.  This bottle will continue to age and mature for fifty years and no doubt at some po

2006 Château Pape Clément Blanc, France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Léognan

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$175.00USD

This bottle was bought on release back when it was affordable.  My last bottle, and it was served at dinner with friends along with an eggplant and tomato soup.  A very good pairing.  The wine itself is very interesting.  Plenty of depth and complexity but showing quite youthfully.  Medium golden in color.  The nose has apricots, slight vanilla, slight marzipan and a hint of tropical fruit.  On the palate, full bodied.  Ever so slightly oily texture.  Delicious vanilla, peach, and waxy notes.  Complex and layered, it unwinds nicely in a glass.  Great balance.  Long finish.  Everything I cou

2017 Urban Vintner Sémillon Muddy Paws, USA, Ohio, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

Urban Vintner is an Ohio winery making wine in Ohio from purchased grapes around the globe.  Muddy Paws is their value line with $1 from every bottle going to the local animal rescue.  The grapes for this wine are from Washington state.  Light silvery green/gold in color.  The nose has some peach and a bit of citrus.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet with peach notes.   There is also a bit of a minty quality on the finish.  Not a lot of depth in this wine, but easy sweet wine.  Those looking for this type of wine will probably like it more than I.  Mostly a cocktail wine or with a nice

2009 Château Guiraud, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

Tasted from a 375ml bottle.  Light golden in color. The nose is nice with pineapples, honey and bit of peach.  Also some vanilla.  On the palate, this is viscous and rich.  Not cloying but a little goes a long way.  Good acidity that cuts through the sweetness.  The pineapple carries thru.  Nice finish.  Probably best on its own or with some cheeses at the end of a meal.  This should last for a couple of decades.  

2001 Château Climens, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Barsac, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
99
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$240.00USD

2001 was such a great vintage and the wines from Sauternes or Barsac are in a gorgeous place right now.  Golden orange in color.  The nose is beautiful with honey and apricots.  Slightly sweet on the palate.  Oranges and apricots with honey.  Viscous with a nice backbone of acidity.  Long finish.  This is complex and layered and demands ones attention.  The first sip tastes good, then evolves on the palate and just does not let go.  Works great with blue cheese or a savory dessert.  

2016 Arkenstone Sauvignon Blanc, USA, California, Napa, Howell Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Silvery green/gold in color.  The nose has minerals and wax with slight tropical fruit.  On the palate, this is soft with low acidity but still quite refreshing.  The Semillon seems to dominate at this point.  Blind, it drinks like a ripe white Bordeaux.  Peaches and minerals with some waxiness.  Should work with a lot of foods.  It will be interesting to see how this improves, if at all, with some age.  

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