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Tasting Notes
The 2023 Ch. Guiraud leaps from the glass with an exotic nose full of fresh pineapple, mango and guava. But there’s much more beyond the fruit, with a pleasing herbaceous edge, waxy tones, orange blossom and acacia honey, all swirling together. The palate is lush and rich, yet the generous and vibrant fruit is held in check with citrus bite and a long, pithy finish. Many of the Sauternes this year have very high residual sugar levels, but Sandrine Garbay has kept flawless balance with this classically proportioned wine. With 130g/l residual sugar and 13.6% alcohol, it is set to spend 18 months in 90% new French oak. Superb.
Critic Scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Neal Martin, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Exotic tropical fruits, honeyed orange, spice, and minty, floral notes shine in the 2023 Château Guiraud, another ripe, powerful, full-bodied Sauternes in the vintage. As with just about everything in this vintage, it brings serious sweetness and depth and a fleshy, soft, opulent style that has just enough acidity to hold it together.
Floral, sweet, and energetic, with pineapples, lemon curd, honeysuckle, candied mangos, and roasted nuts, with a touch of saffron coming in at the end of the nose. Perfectly perched between its sweet, and racy side, with length, purity, freshness, and sweetness, yet it remains light on its feet. This seems to be a new era for Guiraud, with Sandrine Garbay in charge.
A blend of 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2023 Guiraud has 130g/l of residual sugar and a pH of 4.01. It is pale lemon-straw in color and offers up evocative notes of baked peaches, pear tart, and ripe yellow apples, leading to suggestions of fallen leaves, wet slate, and sea spray. The palate has compelling restraint, with baked orchard fruit flavors and soft acidity, finishing savory.
