Chateau Guiraud 2014

Not shy, with unctuous dried apricot, peach and tangerine fruit flavors, augmented with ginger, bitter orange and bitter almond notes that add tension. Expressive, with a floral twinge on the finish imparting lift. Best from 2020 through 2040. 2,500 cases made.

Tropical and orchard fruits are lifted by spicy botrytis notes, crystallised ginger and lemon verbena. Balanced and refined, yet bigger than usual but remarkably fresh thanks to vibrant acidity.

The lush mango and papaya nose leads into a wonderfully rich and concentrated palate, which also has bright acidity that really lights the whole thing up and pulls your hand back to the glass for more! Drink or hold.

This is really rocking! The levels of acidity give this all the lift you need, so that the sweet, honey-drenched tropical fruit and vanilla can really shine.

Quite deep yellow with initial golden glints, brilliant. Broad, expansive bouquet, a bowl full of yellow fruits, especially mirabelles and light apricots, opulent honey; the sweetness is dramatic yet does not feel heavy at first. On a second pass, you find fine light noble woods. On the palate, a full load; the extract is wrapped in a fully creamy sweetness, still showing very fine, noble bitter notes within the extremely concentrated extract. There is potential here for half a century. At least! A very rich wine that, when enjoyed in somewhat larger quantities, will probably also make you feel a bit “sated.”

Fresh, powerful, mineral bouquet of blood oranges, vanilla cream, mint, and chalk. Densely woven, opulent palate with pronounced sweetness, well-integrated acidity, intense aromatics, dense structure, and a long, full finish. Can improve further. 18/20 2024 - 2045

The 2014 Guiraud is pale straw-gold in color. It is a little shy to begin, with notes of wet pebbles, paraffin wax, and lemon verbena giving way to a core of apple pie and fresh straw. The palate is rich and savory with a long spicy finish. Tasted blind with the Southwold Group in London in February 2024.

Color starting to turn golden, powerful botrytis but less fine and pure than in 2015, the same roasted sensation on the palate, somewhat at the expense of finesse.

The 2014 has a lovely pastry and saffron fragrance. On the palate, it leans more toward bitterness than opulence. Its sweetness is moderate, allowing this fine terroir to express itself beautifully. A fresh, easy-drinking Sauternes from a vintage that’s delightful to enjoy today.

Very lemony nose. The wine is fresh, very lemony, with good length, fresh on the finish, less powerful than usual, very well balanced, true to the vintage’s style.

The nose is fresh and fruity, revealing notes of white peach, candied fruit, apricot, citrus and flowers, joined by faint hints of honey, verbena, citrus zest and touches of ginger. The palate is balanced, elegant, fresh and fruity, offering good tension and a lovely texture. On the palate, this wine shows notes of quince, candied clementine and citrus, joined by subtle notes of roasted pineapple, exotic fruits (notably quenette), nectarine and touches of ripe apricot. Good length on the finish.

Bright golden color. An intense, delicate, fruity nose, both subtle and complex. A hint of orange. An airy, melting palate with a fine touch. Very sapid, the cru bounces back on the finish—long, sappy, spicy, and refined. Beautiful!

Rather deep yellow with the first golden highlights, brilliant. Very expansive bouquet, a bowl full of yellow fruits, especially mirabellas and light apricots, generous honey; the sweetness is dramatic yet does not feel heavy at first. On the second nose, light noble woods emerge. On the palate, a full load: the extract is wrapped in a fully creamy sweetness, still showing very fine noble bitter notes within the extremely concentrated extract. There is potential here for half a century. At least! A very opulent wine that, when enjoyed in slightly larger quantities, will likely feel a bit “satiating” in its youth.

Already beautifully balanced, this wine is intense, rich and full of layered acidity and concentrated honey flavors. It's ripe, opulent and dense, with spice notes and acidity highlighting its rich core. Drink from 2024.