Château Guiraud 2023

The 2023 Guiraud conveys energy on the nose, fine tension with pure honeyed fruit, orange blossom and light waxy aromas. The palate is wonderful, armed with great tension and perhaps more mineralité compared to its peers, linear and focused with great tension on the finish. There is a strictness here that I appreciate. Superb.

Floral, sweet, and energetic, with pineapples, lemon curd, honeysuckle, candied mangos, and roasted nuts, with a touch of saffron arriving at the end of the nose. Perfectly poised between its sweet and racy sides, with length, purity, freshness, and sweetness, yet it remains light on its feet. This seems to be a new era for Guiraud, with Sandrine Garbay in charge. Drink from 2027–2050. 95–97 pts.

Medium golden yellow, silver reflections. Fine lanolin, yellow tropical fruit, some honey and candied orange zest. Deep, juicy, white peach, integrated fruit, fine acidity, well-integrated wood spice, honey on the finish, lingers, shows length and certain ageing potential.

Vivid gold in colour, laced with white peach juice, grilled pear, stone fruits, lime juice, opulent but with sculpted lift and zest, this extends outwards and upwards through the palate, capturing the pleasure of 2023 sweet wines in Bordeaux. Has spice and character, gorgeously expressive even now, and will age with ease. Sandrine Garbay, long-time winemaker of Yquem, is director at this 128ha estate, which has been farmed organically since 2011. Harvest began on September 27 and continued through to October 13.

Score: 93–95. Raisins, fresh almond, candied bitter orange peel, cinnamon and vanilla: the nose shows lovely complexity while retaining freshness. The palate is unexpectedly broad and creamy. The sugar hasn’t fully integrated yet, showing notes of butter caramel, stewed pear with cinnamon, candied bitter orange peel, all lifted by a hint of saffron. A very fine vintage.

Exceptionally fresh and complex, clear fruit, lots of florality; on the palate, power and freshness, an interesting tension, sweetness, acidity, fruit and bitter components, long-lasting, characterful, impressive.

A blend of 65% Sémillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc, containing 130 grams per liter of residual sugar, the 2023 Château Guiraud is vibrant and expressive, revealing aromas of apricot, exotic fruits, spices, white flowers and pineapple. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and deep, it is finely balanced, built around a lively core of fruit and defined by a beautifully judged, gastronomic bitterness that brings energy and precision to the finish.