Sauternes Vintage Report

 

Vintage	Score	Drink Rec	Description
2012	84-87	NYR	Botrytis formed, but with constant rains and no warm, sunny patches during harvest, the grapes couldn't get concentration. The best Sauternes are friendly but loosely knit, lacking depth; some top châteaus did not produce a grand vin. Barsac fared much better, with some excellent wines
2011	94-97	NYR	Botrytis arrived early and quickly, while the cool second half of the season allowed grapes to retain acidity. Wines are racy, detailed, pure and driven; should rival '01
2010	93	Hold	Botrytis arrived late and quickly. Wines are clean, round and dense, though not as complex as '09 or '01
2009	96	Hold	Terrific companion vintage to the reds, with ripe, powerful botrytis character; easily the best since '01
2008	90	Hold	Marked by tangy acidity; not broadly ripe, but some are showy enough
2007	92	Hold	Lots of botrytis led to a rich, tropical fruit and raisined-style vintage with rounded, hedonistic wines
2006	91	Drink or hold	Not as dense as top years, but fresh, vibrant wines with lively acidity
2005	93	Hold	Opulent and structured, with underlying finesse
2004	89	Drink or hold	Harmonious, aromatic and spicy; for early drinking
2003	95	Drink or hold	Exotic, ripe and spicy; good botrytis
2002	87	Drink	Small crop; clean and spicy, with good fruit
2001	97	Drink or hold	Magnificently rich and structured, yet balanced
2000	87	Drink or hold	Most of the crop was rained on; only small quantities of good wine
1999	90	Drink or hold	Creamy, rich and spicy
1998	88	Drink	Elegant, refined and delicious
1997	92	Drink or hold	Balanced, racy and structured; classy
1996	89	Drink or hold	Spicy, rich and round; generous style
1995	87	Drink	Sweet and balanced; uneven quality
1992	72	Drink	Light, straightforward, diluted and medium sweet
1991	77	Drink	Moderately sweet, attractive apertif wines
1990	97	Drink	Harmonious, rich and racy
1989	98	Drink	Loads of botryitis; opulent and structured
1988	93	Drink	Elegant and refined
1987	79	Drink	Clean and appealing, with little botrytis
1986	90	Drink	Charming, lively and fresh; spicy and sweet
1985	79	Drink	Little botrytis character; clean and sweet
1984	68	Drink	A wet, difficult harvest; a few good wines
1983	95	Drink	Intense, complex and rich
1982	77	Drink	Mostly fat, alcoholic and sweet
1981	83	Drink	Medium richness; finely balanced wines
1980	82	Drink	Good year; balanced, lightly botrytized wines
1976	93	Drink	Exotic, thick and powerful
1975	94	Drink	Harmonious, lively, spicy and sweet
1971	91	Drink	Supple, refined and long
1967	97	Drink	Classic; long-lived, everything is there
1959	98	Drink	Concentrated, lots of botrytis
A score range indicates preliminary analysis based on barrel samples and/or a limited sampling; many wines of the vintage not yet reviewed. Vintage ratings: 95-100, classic; 90-94, outstanding; 85-89, very good; 80-84, good; 75-79, mediocre; 50-74, not recommended 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