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Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port 2011

Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port 2011

There’s poetry, pure poetry in Taylor Fladgate’s 2011 vintage port; plum, blackberry, espresso, just-baked spice cake, Madagascar Vanilla, sweet tobacco, Chinese Five Spice, and white pepper bedeck the nose. Round and supple on entry, with sumptuous plums and blackberries perched at the fore-palate and framed by cashmere-like, well-integrated tannins. Black tea, dried orange peel, and […]

Château de Cosse (Château Rieussec) Sauternes 2015

Château de Cosse (Château Rieussec) Sauternes 2015

The color of dried goldenrod, Château du Cosse is a blend of 91% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon, and 4% Muscadelle. This superb second label of Château Rieussec offers up sumptuously honeyed aromatics followed by apricot, yellow peach, well-ripened mango, and a pinch of nutmeg. Full-bodied and nicely balanced, in the mouth fleshy fruit and densely-packed flavors […]

Château la Rame Sainte-Croix-du-Mont 2015

Château la Rame Château La Caussade Sainte-Croix-du-Mont 2015

Crafted from 100% Sémillon grown in clay-limestone soil studded with fossilized oysters, the 2015 Château la Rame Sainte-Croix-du-Mont unfurls to reveal layered aromas of dried mango, pineapple, and acacia honey. It’s a luscious wine, with concentration and vibrant acidity that lends focus and lift to the palate, followed by a pleasant tide of pink grapefruit […]

Château Dauphiné Rondillon Loupiac 2011

Château Dauphiné Rondillon Loupiac 2011

From the Loupiacais countryside, this golden-glinting blend of 80% Semillon, 20% Sauvignon Blanc opens with subtle earthiness—blooming forest mushroom that blows off to reveal apricot, tangerine, nougatine, sultana, and warm spice. In the mouth glorious, glycerolly-unctuousness and shimmering depth on the palate, punctuated by bright acidity. Kumquat, almond paste, and baking spice emerge on the […]

Château Suduiraut Castelnau de Suduiraut Sauternes 2006

Château Suduiraut Castelnau de Suduiraut Sauternes 2006

The 2006 Castelnau de Suduiraut, as with all wines from Suduiraut, possesses a center of gravity. One feels that one is swimming in this wine—in opulent layers of apricot preserves, yellow cling peaches, marmalade, rich spice, dulce de leche flan, and forest honey. It’s dark amber in the glass, viscous and voluptuous. Go ahead, treat […]

Château Lapinesse Sauternes 2016

Château Lapinesse Sauternes 2016

Crafted from 100% organically-grown Semillon, the 2016 Château Lapinesse Sauternes is lightly botrytized, with more pure fruit character shining through. Aromas of white peach, apricot and orange zest are followed by more subtle notes of florality, almond, and spice. It’s round on entry and silky—the apricot flavors pick up at the back palate, becoming a […]

Château Manos Cadillac 2016

Château Manos Cadillac 2016

A nice value in this little half bottle—the 2016 Château Manos is pale lemon yellow in the glass with blooming aromas of poached pear, apricot skin, orange blossom, and granulated honey. This Semillon-dominant blend is round and lush on the palate, and while not as botrytis-laden or rich as some—there is nice purity of fruit […]

Château du Cros Loupiac 2014

Château du Cros Loupiac 2014

For Sauternes lovers, Loupiac is a stunning value—especially when one finds producers such as this. The Château du Cros Loupiac 2014 is a blend of 90% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon blanc, and 5% Muscadelle grown in chalky clay with limestone subsoil. Mushrooms bloom from the glass followed by pure-fruited splendor: yellow peach and apricot, candied orange […]

Château Filhot Sauternes Grand Cru Classé 2015

Château Filhot Sauternes Grand Cru Classé 2015

A stunning second growth, Château Filhot Grand Cru Classé 2015 glints goldenrod in the glass. Still young and primary in expression it’s brimming with penetrating aromas of apricot, candied pineapple, orange Creamsicle, and savory herbs. Fresh and vivid, yet luscious and opulent, too. As with all well-crafted Sauternes, acidity provides lift and weightlessness amidst depth of […]

Château Suduiraut 1982

Château Suduiraut

A contribution from my Cascadia Fine Wines colleague Jack Madrid at a recent dinner with Force Majeure Vineyards‘ winemaker and his wife—this luscious amber-hued bottle of 1982 Château Suduiraut proved to be the perfect end to an evening of lively conversation. It opens with penetrating aromas of orange marmalade, apricot, orange spice market tea, flan, forest honey, and […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com