Chateau Guiraud Sauternes (375ML half-bottle) 2005

"
#4 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2008

Delivers lots of botrytis spice, with lemon tart and cooked apple. Full-bodied, with loads of cream and vanilla and an intense tropical fruit and honey aftertaste. Long and viscous, with a layered and beautiful spicy finish. Hard not to drink it now. Best after 2014."

97 Points

Wine Spectator

"Typical of the huge power of Guiraud, this is one of the richest Sauternes in 2005. The wine is rich and intense, the dry edge of botrytis just dominating the sweetness. Flavors of honey, almonds and peaches give the wine extra complexity. "

95 Points

Wine Enthusiast

"Seething with power, there's baritone richness to this wine's complex fruit, a deeper tone to the surface of honey and citrus. It feels clean, fresh and bright, the structure holding the wine's complexity tight for now, waiting to release it with age."

95 Points

Wine & Spirits

"This is back to the great Guiraud I tasted out of barrel. A simple honeyed, butterscotch nose with moderate definition. Opening up in the glass, nice mineral aromas in there, a touch of quince, white flowers, honeysuckle and a touch of quince. Ends up having good definition. The palate is medium-bodied, quite elegant and well poised with good acidity with a minerally, well-crafted honey, creme-brulee and fresh apricot tinged finish. Sophisticated and classy. Drink 2010-2030. Tasted January 2009."

94 Points

The Wine Advocate

"No quibbles here. This is a concentrated, fairly complex offering whose pear syrup, pineapple, roasted nuts, coconutty aromas may be the slightest bit unusual but are every bit inviting. Juicy and rich in flavor with more than a touch of honey noted, the wine has plenty of underlying acidity that helps make its youthfully sugary flavors attractive even now but which also guarantees that this lush wine has a second decade and possibly more in its future."

93 Points

Connoisseurs' Guide

"Full golden-yellow. Orange oil, clove, ginger, mint and minerals on the perfumed, vibrant noise. Superrich but juicy and vibrant, with an exotic hint to the fresh apricot and peach flavors. This boasts an exhilarating sugar/acid balance and finishes with terrific life and grip."

92 Points

International Wine Cellar