Archive Releases

7 May 2010

This morning sees two 'top' releases from Sauternes. First up is Château Rieussec (from the Rothschild stable) which is available @ £640.00 IB per case or £655.00 per case of halves.

Bill Blatch (the best man in Sauternes) says "Rieussec flourishes in highly concentrated vintages, and 2009 is no exception. With 150 pickers working two 8-hour shifts, they managed to keep up to date with the year's rapid botrytis, and so maintained a total purity, elegance and complexity of flavour, and at 4,0 g/l, a high tone of acidity. At the same time, at 160 g/l residual, the wine is as usual un-ashamedly rich. The result is that honeyed sort of purity in the concentration that we saw something of in the historic '89 and '01, possibly superior to the former and almost up to the latter. The balance seems so natural and gives the impression of being able to age for a century or more"

Neal Martin awards 95-97, Jancis Robinson 18/20 & James Suckling 92-95. . .

Château Coutet is also available @ £550.00 IB per case or £565.00 IB per case of halves. . . Similarly; Coutet receives glowing reviews from the leading critics.

Neal Martin awards a very impressive 96-98 "The Coutet 2009 is a sensational effort from Philippe Baly and his team. It has a fragrant nose of honey, vervain tea, pineapple, frangipane and apple-blossom, well defined if needing a little more vigour at the moment. The palate is vibrant on the entry, informed by touches of apricot and orange peel, very focused and tensile towards the long, sensuous, viscous finish. It has the same minerality exuded by Doisy-Daene and reminds me of a stellar '62 tasted just a few weeks previously. A magnificent Coutet"

James Suckling awards 95-98 & Jancis Robinson seems to disagree somewhat by awarding 16/20!