| Vintage | Score | Drink Window | Description | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vintage2020 |
Score89 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionHail early in the season clipped the crop (there is no Climens, for example), while the dry second half hampered the growth of botrytis. Wines are juicy and tropical in profile, but without the range of an outstanding year (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionHail early in the season clipped the crop (there is no Climens, for example), while the dry second half hampered the growth of botrytis. Wines are juicy and tropical in profile, but without the range of an outstanding year (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2019 |
Score91 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionA hot, dry growing season led to ripe and healthy grapes, but only a single wave of botrytis, rather than multiple waves, with many growers making just one tri. Wines are ripe, juicy and fresh in profile, despite the hot year, but they lack the complexity of top vintages with multiple tris (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionA hot, dry growing season led to ripe and healthy grapes, but only a single wave of botrytis, rather than multiple waves, with many growers making just one tri. Wines are ripe, juicy and fresh in profile, despite the hot year, but they lack the complexity of top vintages with multiple tris (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2018 |
Score89 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionMildew pressure early in the season and a hailstorm midway through curtailed yields severely, and as in 2016 a very dry second half of the season denuded the potential for waves of botrytis infection during harvest. Wines are ripe, round and forward, but lack the complexity of top years (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionMildew pressure early in the season and a hailstorm midway through curtailed yields severely, and as in 2016 a very dry second half of the season denuded the potential for waves of botrytis infection during harvest. Wines are ripe, round and forward, but lack the complexity of top years (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2017 |
Score91 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionSpring frost hit Barsac hard, Sauternes less so, reducing yields; dry and warm season led to healthy grapes, with late-season rains kicking off a very fast botrytis infection as grapes were ripe. Growers had to move fast, most picking just two or three tris; wines are juicy and forward, with tropical fruit profiles (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionSpring frost hit Barsac hard, Sauternes less so, reducing yields; dry and warm season led to healthy grapes, with late-season rains kicking off a very fast botrytis infection as grapes were ripe. Growers had to move fast, most picking just two or three tris; wines are juicy and forward, with tropical fruit profiles (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2016 |
Score90 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionSecond half of growing season was extremely dry, affecting botrytis. Grapes were ripe and healthy, but botrytis arrived late, in only one or two waves, rather than in multiple waves. Wines are fresh and friendly, but without the complexity of great years; Barsac has a bit more energy than Sauternes (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionSecond half of growing season was extremely dry, affecting botrytis. Grapes were ripe and healthy, but botrytis arrived late, in only one or two waves, rather than in multiple waves. Wines are fresh and friendly, but without the complexity of great years; Barsac has a bit more energy than Sauternes (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2015 |
Score94 |
Drink WindowHold |
DescriptionGrowing season was warm and dry early, cool and wet late. Rains were light, though, and separated by periods of dry weather, allowing for waves of botrytis growth and leisurely picking. Wines are fresh and pure in style (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionGrowing season was warm and dry early, cool and wet late. Rains were light, though, and separated by periods of dry weather, allowing for waves of botrytis growth and leisurely picking. Wines are fresh and pure in style (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2014 |
Score96 |
Drink WindowHold |
DescriptionAfter a dry, cool growing season, initial harvests brought in fresh, racy fruit. Botrytis was spurred after a long Indian summer, allowing for successive pickings of more tropical styled, botrytis-affected fruit. The combination should make for a special vintage (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionAfter a dry, cool growing season, initial harvests brought in fresh, racy fruit. Botrytis was spurred after a long Indian summer, allowing for successive pickings of more tropical styled, botrytis-affected fruit. The combination should make for a special vintage (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2013 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowHold |
DescriptionBotrytis spread quickly during a rainy September and October, with just enough breaks to allow grapes to concentrate. Both Sauternes and Barsac excellent, with fresh, racy styled wines. A cross in style between the racy '11 and flattering '07, with a bit less zip and concentration (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionBotrytis spread quickly during a rainy September and October, with just enough breaks to allow grapes to concentrate. Both Sauternes and Barsac excellent, with fresh, racy styled wines. A cross in style between the racy '11 and flattering '07, with a bit less zip and concentration (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2012 |
Score86 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionBotrytis formed but with constant rains and no warm, sunny patches during harvest, the grapes couldn't get concentration. Best Sauternes are friendly, but loosely knit and lack complexity; some top châteaus did not produce grand vins. Barsac fared much better, with some excellent wines (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionBotrytis formed but with constant rains and no warm, sunny patches during harvest, the grapes couldn't get concentration. Best Sauternes are friendly, but loosely knit and lack complexity; some top châteaus did not produce grand vins. Barsac fared much better, with some excellent wines (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2011 |
Score97 |
Drink WindowHold |
DescriptionBotrytis arrived early and spread quickly; a cool second half of season allowed grapes to retain acidity. Wines are racy, detailed, pure and driven (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionBotrytis arrived early and spread quickly; a cool second half of season allowed grapes to retain acidity. Wines are racy, detailed, pure and driven (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2010 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowHold |
DescriptionBotrytis arrived late and quickly. Wines are ripe and juicy, with tropical fruit character. Barsac shows more freshness than Sauternes. Not as dense as '01 or '09 (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionBotrytis arrived late and quickly. Wines are ripe and juicy, with tropical fruit character. Barsac shows more freshness than Sauternes. Not as dense as '01 or '09 (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2009 |
Score96 |
Drink WindowHold |
DescriptionTerrific companion vintage to the reds, with ripe, powerful botrytis character and rich texture with freshness and balance (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionTerrific companion vintage to the reds, with ripe, powerful botrytis character and rich texture with freshness and balance (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2008 |
Score90 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionMarked by tangy acidity; not broadly ripe, but some are showy enough (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionMarked by tangy acidity; not broadly ripe, but some are showy enough (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2007 |
Score92 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionLots of botrytis led to a rich, tropical fruit and raisined-style vintage with rounded, hedonistic wines (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionLots of botrytis led to a rich, tropical fruit and raisined-style vintage with rounded, hedonistic wines (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2006 |
Score91 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionNot as dense as top years, but fresh, vibrant wines with lively acidity (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionNot as dense as top years, but fresh, vibrant wines with lively acidity (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2005 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowHold |
DescriptionOpulent and structured, with underlying finesse (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionOpulent and structured, with underlying finesse (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2004 |
Score89 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionHarmonious, aromatic and spicy; for early drinking (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionHarmonious, aromatic and spicy; for early drinking (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2003 |
Score95 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionExotic, ripe and spicy; good botrytis (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionExotic, ripe and spicy; good botrytis (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2002 |
Score87 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionSmall crop; clean and spicy, with good fruit (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionSmall crop; clean and spicy, with good fruit (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2001 |
Score97 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionMagnificently rich and structured, yet balanced (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionMagnificently rich and structured, yet balanced (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2000 |
Score87 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionMost of the crop was rained on; only small quantities of good wine (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionMost of the crop was rained on; only small quantities of good wine (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1999 |
Score90 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionCreamy, rich and spicy (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionCreamy, rich and spicy (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1998 |
Score88 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionElegant, refined and delicious (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionElegant, refined and delicious (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1997 |
Score92 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionBalanced, racy and structured; classy (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionBalanced, racy and structured; classy (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1996 |
Score89 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionSpicy, rich and round; generous style (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionSpicy, rich and round; generous style (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1995 |
Score87 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionSweet and balanced; uneven quality (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionSweet and balanced; uneven quality (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1992 |
Score72 |
Drink WindowPast peak |
DescriptionLight, straightforward, diluted and medium sweet (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionLight, straightforward, diluted and medium sweet (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1991 |
Score77 |
Drink WindowPast peak |
DescriptionModerately sweet, attractive apertif wines (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionModerately sweet, attractive apertif wines (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1990 |
Score97 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionHarmonious, rich and racy (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionHarmonious, rich and racy (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1989 |
Score98 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionLoads of botryitis; opulent and structured (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionLoads of botryitis; opulent and structured (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1988 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionElegant and refined (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionElegant and refined (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1987 |
Score79 |
Drink WindowPast peak |
DescriptionClean and appealing, with little botrytis (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionClean and appealing, with little botrytis (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1986 |
Score90 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionCharming, lively and fresh; spicy and sweet (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionCharming, lively and fresh; spicy and sweet (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1985 |
Score79 |
Drink WindowPast peak |
DescriptionLittle botrytis character; clean and sweet (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionLittle botrytis character; clean and sweet (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1984 |
Score68 |
Drink WindowPast peak |
DescriptionA wet, difficult harvest; a few good wines (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionA wet, difficult harvest; a few good wines (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1983 |
Score95 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionIntense, complex and rich (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionIntense, complex and rich (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1982 |
Score77 |
Drink WindowPast peak |
DescriptionMostly fat, alcoholic and sweet (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionMostly fat, alcoholic and sweet (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1981 |
Score83 |
Drink WindowPast peak |
DescriptionMedium richness; finely balanced wines (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionMedium richness; finely balanced wines (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1980 |
Score82 |
Drink WindowPast peak |
DescriptionGood year; balanced, lightly botrytized wines (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionGood year; balanced, lightly botrytized wines (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1976 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionExotic, thick and powerful (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionExotic, thick and powerful (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1975 |
Score94 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionHarmonious, lively, spicy and sweet (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionHarmonious, lively, spicy and sweet (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1971 |
Score91 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionSupple, refined and long (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionSupple, refined and long (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1967 |
Score97 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionClassic; long-lived, everything is there (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionClassic; long-lived, everything is there (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1959 |
Score98 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionConcentrated, lots of botrytis (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionConcentrated, lots of botrytis (See all ratings) |
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Vintage ratings: 95-100, classic; 90-94, outstanding; 85-89, very good; 80-84, good; 75-79, mediocre; 50-74, not recommended
A score range indicates preliminary analysis based on barrel samples and/or a limited sampling; many wines of the vintage not yet reviewed.
Drinkability: "NYR" means the vintage has not yet been released; "drink" means most of the wines of the vintage are ready to drink; "hold" means most of the ageworthy wines have yet to fully mature; "past peak" means most of the wines are declining rather than improving.
SOURCE: WINE SPECTATOR
