Chateau de Rayne Vigneau 2019

Shows the ripe, forward and unctuous profile of the vintage but with good range, thanks to ginger, apricot, quince and green fig notes as well as a floral accent on the pie crust-tinged finish. Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now through 2032.

Nice fresh, lemon zestiness on the nose – smells bright and quite inviting. Lemon juice, apricot and peach, ripe pear and pineapple on the palate – a good mix of fruits and balanced sugar level, not too cloying but quite potent. I like the glamour and confidence here, driven with some spicy bitter notes coming in towards the finish, ending with a lemon zest lift at the end.

Pretty nose of honeysuckle, dried apricot, pineapple, peach and butterscotch. Medium- to full-bodied, round and lush, with a creamy, sweet-peach character. 80% semillon and 20% sauvignon blanc. Drink or hold.

Tasted blind. A hint of coconut and very smooth, satiny texture. Luxurious. It caresses the palate and has (just) enough acidity to offset the very high sugar level. Stewed apricots? (JR)

Honeyed apricot, pineapple, candied orange rind, vanilla, a touch of honeysuckle, and a hint of spice are what you initially notice before moving to the fresh, orange- and mango-centric, spicy, nutty, sweet, fresh palate. This is one of the sweet wines that will work well with savory courses or as a dessert wine. Drink from 2022–2039.

(76% Sémillon, 24% Sauvignon Blanc, 13.5% vol. alcohol, production 30,000 bottles) Powerful, complex bouquet with lychee, grapefruit, green bananas, mint, honey. Lush, full, fruity palate with pronounced sweetness, good acidity, diverse aromatics, creamy, elegant structure, long, opulent finish. 18/20 2025 - 2055

Bright but pale gold, a little heavy aromatically on the first nose, but it adds juice and minerality on the palate, with a focus on greengage plums, apricot pit and nectarine, citrus and rosemary, turmeric, saffron. This is enjoyable, with a squeeze of lime on the finish.

The 2019 de Rayne Vigneau, a blend of 76% Semillon, 24% Sauvignon Blanc, and 1% Muscadelle, is pale lemon-straw in color. It opens with wonderfully pure scents of lime cordial, fresh grapefruit, and orange blossom, giving way to suggestions of marzipan, crème caramel, and allspice. The palate is tightly wound, with seamless acidity and great length.

On two occasions, one of them in a blind tasting, the wine struck us as the most complete among the premiers crus, with an aromatic intensity and complexity worthy of the greatest vintages, showing notes of apricot but also—rare in 2019—more exotic fruits and a terroir-driven salinity that will make it an excellent match for lobster or even caviar. A great success.

On the nose, notes of daffodil, gentian, Suze tonic, striking with accuracy and precision. On the palate, a sweetness reminiscent of childhood candies, berlingots, and that cough syrup we guiltily enjoy.

The bouquet of the 2019 has the merit of announcing right away that it has big ambitions. Otherwise, it wouldn’t start by showing notes that are far too youthful. It would rather try to dazzle, whereas fundamentally it wants to convince. Minerality, hints of saffron and gingerbread, then citrus zest tie together botrytis and freshness. On the palate, the wine is rather strict on the attack. Like the bouquet, it banks on freshness and longevity. The breadth is there, the sweetness too, but it’s the tension and bitterness that run the show. They will carry this wine through a few decades. Let’s drink the 2018s or 2012s while we wait! En primeurs I scored it 94–96, in bottle I had moved to 94, and today I’m back to 96. Sometimes it pays to trust yourself… however, I’m revising the drinking window sharply upward: it’s a marathoner!

Logo on the cork: AL Golden color with green highlights. Moderately aromatic nose, with exotic-style fruit. Smooth, spicy nuances. Delicate on the attack, with an almost crystalline touch, the wine unfolds flavorful and refined all along the palate. It finishes long, very fragrant, with plenty of charm. Do not hesitate to open the bottle 24 hours in advance, otherwise wait.

Kunz barrel sample 2020: (76% Sémillon, 24% Sauvignon Blanc, 13.5% vol. alcohol, production 30,000 bottles) Powerful, complex bouquet, lychee, grapefruit, green bananas, mint, honey. Lush, full, fruity palate with pronounced sweetness, good acidity, diverse aromatics, creamy, elegant structure, long, opulent finish.