Château Guiraud 2019

Class – aromatics; it’s rare to sniff such pure, noble Botrytis, and then, surprisingly, a whole bouquet of fruits and flowers; superb, full attack, great density but also tremendous depth, very, very long; combines extract with depth and breed, aromatic complexity, nobility; stunningly good and one of the best Giraud ever.

Distinctive, with the forward apricot, peach and quince profile of the vintage but with extra acacia, honeysuckle and heather notes, which add lift and length through the nicely defined finish. Although unctuous, this has some drive to carry it along nicely. Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Best from 2023 through 2035. 3,750 cases made.

Fully expressive on the nose, burnt lemon, candied peel and dried fruits — apricots, oranges and spices — lots going on. Lovely combination here of bright, quite acidic lemony freshness with this honeyed, caramel, buttery softness and also so many notes of dried fruit, raisins, apricots, pineapple and potpourri. Great potential here, lots of complexity and I really love the interplay between bright lemon acidity and sweet toffee richness. Confident and showy in the best way.

Acacia honey, apricots, peaches, white tea, lemons and bergamot on the nose. This is sweet, agile and bright with a succulent, tangy citrus character. A nimble, zestier expression of Sauternes. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

The 2019 Guiraud has a touch of kerosene on the nose, well-defined, although the oak needs more time to fully integrate. The palate is well balanced, with orange zest, mandarin, grapefruit and apricot. Pretty and flattering, it requires more botrytization toward the finish. Will time imbue it with more personality? Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.

White peach, flowers, roasted pears, grilled nuts, orange tropical fruits, candied apricot and honeyed nuts are all over the place here. The wine triangulates its richness, sweetness, and racy orange and yellow, honeyed fruits with ease. Drink from 2023–2045.

Kunz barrel sample 2020: (35% Sauvignon Blanc, 65% Sémillon, 13.5% alc. vol., production 16,000 bottles) Opulent, concentrated, complex bouquet, rambutan, bananas, chalk, Williams pear, vanilla. Creamy, densely knit, well-balanced palate with opulent sweetness, fine, well-integrated acidity, multifaceted, dense aromatics, tight structure, very good fruit, long, lush finish. Can improve further.

(35% Sauvignon Blanc, 65% Sémillon, 13.5% vol. alcohol, production 16,000 bottles) Opulent, concentrated, complex bouquet, rambutan, bananas, chalk, Williams pear, vanilla. Creamy, tightly knit, well-balanced palate with opulent sweetness, fine, well-integrated acidity, layered, dense aromatics, firm structure, very good fruit, long, lavish finish. Can improve further. 18/20 2026 - 2060

Enjoyable, tobacco leaf, grilled apricot, gunsmoke and tarte tatin, this shows sweet pineapple, toffee and caramel notes but keeps up a juicy, pointed freshness. Tons of character.

Pale lemon-straw in color, the 2019 Guiraud rolls out of the glass with ready-to-go notes of peach preserves, juicy pineapple, and lime blossoms, leading to hints of ginger ale and crushed rocks. The palate is lively and satiny, with layer upon layer of exotic fruit and a perfumed finish.

Not the richest in its category, and a little tired in one of the two samples tasted. The better one shows an excellent balance between alcohol and sweetness, perfectly in line with a difficult harvest that was nevertheless impeccably sorted.

A nose of vanilla, yellow peach and nectarine, with a slight tangy edge. On the palate, a lovely bitterness, notes of fresh almonds, and a pretty finish that would benefit from being a touch lighter.

What complexity and freshness! Typical notes of saffron accompanied by peppermint, lychee and lime. This wine has grip, verve and length. Expressive finish with aromas of mandarin. As already shown during the en primeur tastings, Guiraud stands out for its ability to bridge power and finesse, and charm and freshness. A great success.

Bright yellow-green color. A slightly discreet nose that takes time to open up. Delicate on entry, complex from the mid-palate, with flavor and a juicy, fine character, the wine moves forward complete, powerful and noble toward a long, sappy and refined finish. Superb!