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Sauternes Wines

Internationally known for its sophistication and complexity, Sauternes occupies a special place in the world of sweet wines, symbolised perfectly by the prestigious Chateau d'Yquem. Along with a...Read More

Products (141)
Château Liot 1999
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HK$2,730.00 
HK$227.50 / Unit
JR
15.5
Château Liot 1997
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HK$2,982.00 
HK$248.50 / Unit
RP
90
Château Liot 1998
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HK$2,856.00 
HK$238.00 / Unit
RP
87
JR
18
WS
93
Château de Rayne Vigneau 1997
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HK$4,410.00 
HK$367.50 / Unit
RP
91-95
Château Raymond-Lafon 2003
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HK$6,636.00 
HK$553.00 / Unit
RP
83
Château Liot 2001
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HK$3,192.00 
HK$266.00 / Unit
RP
84
JR
17
WS
90
Château de Myrat 2002
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2e cru classe - - - White
HK$3,990.00 
HK$332.50 / Unit
RP
90
JR
17
WS
86,5
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey 2002
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HK$5,460.00 
HK$455.00 / Unit
RP
80
JR
15
WS
89
Château de Myrat 1997
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2e cru classe - - - White
HK$3,822.00 
HK$318.50 / Unit
RP
91
DE
90
WS
88
Carmes de Rieussec 2016
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2nd wine of Ch. Rieussec - - - White
HK$2,352.00 
HK$196.00 / Unit
RP
88
DE
91
WS
93
Château de Myrat 2001
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2e cru classe - - - White
HK$4,494.00 
HK$374.50 / Unit
RP
89
JR
15.5
WS
91
Château de Malle 1997
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2e cru classe - - - White
HK$4,662.00 
HK$388.50 / Unit
RP
88
JR
18
WS
91
Château de Rayne Vigneau 2003
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HK$4,074.00 
HK$339.50 / Unit
Château Liot 2000
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HK$2,940.00 
HK$245.00 / Unit
RP
90
JR
18
WS
89
Château de Rayne Vigneau 2001
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HK$4,494.00 
HK$374.50 / Unit
WS
88-91
JS
88
Carmes de Rieussec 2012
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2nd wine of Ch. Rieussec - - - White
HK$2,352.00 
HK$196.00 / Unit
RP
87
RG
18
Château de Rayne Vigneau 1996
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HK$4,452.00 
HK$371.00 / Unit
RP
88-90
WS
89
JS
91
Carmes de Rieussec 2014
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2nd wine of Ch. Rieussec - - - White
HK$2,310.00 
HK$192.50 / Unit
RP
91
DE
88
WS
90
Carmes de Rieussec 2015
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2nd wine of Ch. Rieussec - - - White
HK$2,554.00 
HK$212.83 / Unit
RP
94
WS
88
RG
17
Château de Rayne Vigneau 1998
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HK$3,620.00 
HK$301.67 / Unit
JR
16
BD
15.5
WS
90
Carmes de Rieussec 2011
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2nd wine of Ch. Rieussec - - - White
HK$1,470.00 
HK$245.00 / Unit
RP
93
JR
19-
WS
91
Clos Haut-Peyraguey 2007
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1er cru classe - - - White
HK$6,678.00 
HK$556.50 / Unit
WS
88-91
JS
89-90
Symphonie de Haut-Peyraguey 2018
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2nd wine of Clos Haut-Peyraguey - - - White
HK$2,436.00 
HK$203.00 / Unit
RP
91
JR
17
WS
92
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey 2005
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HK$5,670.00 
HK$472.50 / Unit
RP
93+
JR
17.5+
WS
92
Château Doisy-Védrines 2016
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HK$2,276.00 
HK$379.33 / Unit
RP
94
JR
17
WS
88
Château de Malle 2016
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2e cru classe - - - White
HK$2,352.00 
HK$392.00 / Unit
RP
93
JR
16.5
DE
93
Organic wines
Château Guiraud 2014
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1er cru classe - - - White
HK$2,730.00 
HK$455.00 / Unit
WS
89
JS
92
Carmes de Rieussec 2010
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2nd wine of Ch. Rieussec - - - White
HK$1,512.00 
HK$252.00 / Unit
RP
94
JR
16+
DE
94
Organic wines
Château Guiraud 2017
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1er cru classe - - - White
HK$2,738.00 
HK$456.33 / Unit
RP
93
DE
93
WS
95
Château Rabaud-Promis 2001
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HK$5,628.00 
HK$469.00 / Unit
DE
89
twi
90-92
Château Liot 2021
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HK$2,184.00 
HK$182.00 / Unit
RP
89-91
WS
88
JS
90-91
Carmes de Rieussec 2018
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2nd wine of Ch. Rieussec - - - White
HK$1,218.00 
HK$203.00 / Unit
RP
95
JR
16.5
DE
95
Organic wines
Château Guiraud 2016
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1er cru classe - - - White
HK$2,688.00 
HK$448.00 / Unit
Carmes de Rieussec 2008
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2nd wine of Ch. Rieussec - - - White
HK$1,470.00 
HK$245.00 / Unit
RP
84-87
JR
15
JS
89-90
Château Liot 2016
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HK$1,932.00 
HK$161.00 / Unit
RP
95+
JR
18
WS
93
Château Suduiraut 2016
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1er cru classe - - - White
HK$3,864.00 
HK$644.00 / Unit
RP
88
JR
16.5
WS
91
Château Doisy-Védrines 2012
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HK$1,806.00 
HK$301.00 / Unit
RP
92+
JR
16
WS
93
Clos Haut-Peyraguey 2017
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1er cru classe - - - White
HK$2,016.00 
HK$336.00 / Unit
RP
93-95
JR
16+
WS
94
Château Suduiraut 2017
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1er cru classe - - - White
HK$3,780.00 
HK$630.00 / Unit
RP
93-95
JR
17
DE
93
Château Suduiraut 2013
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1er cru classe - - - White
HK$2,898.00 
HK$483.00 / Unit
RP
87-89
Château Liot 2020
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HK$1,848.00 
HK$154.00 / Unit
RP
95
JR
16.5
DE
92
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey 2017
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HK$2,814.00 
HK$469.00 / Unit
RP
90?
JR
16.5
WS
89-92
Château Rieussec 2008
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1er cru classe - - - White
HK$2,898.00 
HK$483.00 / Unit
JS
90
Symphonie de Haut-Peyraguey 2016
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2nd wine of Clos Haut-Peyraguey - - - White
HK$2,512.00 
HK$209.33 / Unit
JR
17
DE
94
BD
92-92
Château de Rayne Vigneau 2021
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HK$2,478.00 
HK$206.50 / Unit
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Sauternes | The Sweeter Side of Bordeaux

Sauternes wines

There's no better way to impress your friends and family at the end of a special meal than with a beautiful bottle of golden Sauternes from one of the best vintages of the region. This world-famous sweet wine made from botrytised grapes will go beautifully with just about any dessert food, as well as a wide range of cheeses (think, blue). And, what's left over (if any) can be enjoyed the next day as a Sauternes cocktail, with an ice cube and a touch of citrus zest, a new way of drinking Sauternes that has recently gained popularity. In this article we will discuss this unique wine's capacity for ageing and how to choose the right bottle for your special occasion.

 

A Quick Glance at Sauternes

In a land of bold, powerful tannic reds, Sauternes stands out as a unique style indeed - the softer, sweeter side of Bordeaux. This wine is distinguished by a unique viticultural technique, which allows the grapes to be infected with a "noble rot," leading to the "raisining" of the fruit. This, in turn, leads to more residual sugar and a great complexity that shines through in the finished product. With sugar levels between 120-220 grams per litre, Sauternes qualifies as a very sweet wine, pairing beautifully with some of the region's most classic dishes, including a variety of pungent cheeses and, of course, foie gras. The region of Sauternes comprises five communes, namely Barsac, Sauternes, Bommes, Fargues and Preignac. Here, the cool waters of the Ciron River flow into the warmer stream of the Garonne. In the summer months this mix of temperatures creates a fog that descends onto the surrounding land, promoting the growth of Botrytis cinerea, the fungus to which Sauternes owes its style.

 

sauternes
© Château de Fargues

 

To qualify as a Sauternes, a wine from one of these communes must have at minimum 13% alcohol. While all five of these regions are allowed to label their sweet wines "Sauternes," producers in Barsac can also choose the Barsac appellation to display on their wines, which tend to be slightly drier and lighter in body than other Sauternes wines. The wines of Sauternes are made from a blend of three permitted grape varietals. Semillon is the workhorse of the bunch, attracting the most noble rot with its thin skins and adding a rich texture to the wine. Sauvignon Blanc brings the acidity, lacking in Semillon, while Muscadelle enhances the blend with its floral characteristics.

 

Sauternes + Time

The wines of Sauternes are considered some of the most age-worthy in the world, often still drinkable after several decades. What makes them so resistant to the passing of time? As many of the grapes used to produce Sauternes are affected by botrytis, the acidity and sugar in the grapes become more concentrated. This helps stabilise the wine and protect it from oxidation, giving the fermentation process plenty to "work with" in terms of raw ingredients. Although a good Sauternes is good even when consumed at its youth, this wine drinks at its best after it matures and sheds some of its baby fat. Over time, the hallmark golden hue of the wine grows deeper, gradually transforming into a copper colour. As this happens, the rich and very sweet flavours of honeydew and tropical fruit give way to caramel, spices and deeper nutty notes, a signature of the Semillon grape.

 

sauternes
© Château Guiraud

 

Although the wines of Sauternes are built to age, they are enjoyable also in their youth - unlike many of the Premier crus of surrounding Bordeaux appellations. One fantastic way to enjoy a newer vintage of Sauternes is on the rocks, as suggested by 1er Grand Cru Classe estate Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey. This prestigious chateau has recently started promoting this brand new experience with its award winning wine: Sauternes served with 3 ice cubes and lemon or orange peel with the rim of the glass rubbed with the same.

 

Sauternes Vintages That Sing

At this point (we hope) you may be considering choosing a Sauternes with which to grace your dinner table. Good. But which vintage should you buy? And if you already have a collection of Bordeaux's sweet dessert wines, which vintages are best left to keep ageing? The truth is that, as stated above, a good Sauternes is good even in its youth. But if it's the more mature, caramelised, nutty complexity that you're after, we suggest investing in an old vintage. Although some years were just generally very good or very bad for Bordeaux across the board, Sauternes "best vintage list" does not exactly match that of the rest of Bordeaux. This is due in large part to the unique climate in Sauternes, which is so different from its dry wine producing neighbours. For example, although 2017 will be remembered for the difficult April frost in most Bordeaux appellations, the signature fog of Sauternes actually protected many of the vines, resulting in less loss.

 

sauternes
© Château Suduiraut

 

In terms of the pre-phylloxera era, 1847, 1848, 1858, 1864, 1865, 1874, 1875 and 1878 stand out as the best vintages. The first still-surviving vintage of the 1900's is 1921, which stood out as one of the best in the history of the region. After that, the 1929, 1937 and 1945 vintages were also quite impressive. The 1945 vintage was generally a famously superb year all around Bordeaux and France. The best post-war vintages begin with 1947, 1955 and 1959, the latter of which produced incredibly concentrated wines because of the very heavy botrytis experienced that year. Sauternes from 1983 were some of the best - intense, complex and very rich in flavour. Then came two fantastic vintages in a row - the 1989 and the 1990 - the former producing wines with beautiful structure while the latter stood out in its harmony, richness and elegance.

The best vintage of the new millennium so far is 2001. In this year, heavy rainfall spoiled many of the reds of the region but encouraged heavy botrytis. The result is a magnificent vintage with remarkable ageing potential. We recommend keeping these at least another decade or two. Further good vintages followed, with the 2003, 2009 and the 2011, the latter of which was marked by a rapid arrival and quick spread of botrytis throughout the region. The 2015 vintage, already very famous in the rest of Bordeaux, also shows great potential.

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