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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 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 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 […]

Château Suduiraut Castelnau de Suduiraut Sauternes 2010

Château Suduiraut Castelnau de Suduiraut Sauternes 2010

A decadent elixir, Castelnau de Suduiraut is the second label of Château Suduiraut—in an excellent vintage like 2010, it offers fabulous QPR—and is exactly the sort of wine I’m inclined to haul out of my cellar during the holidays. Lavishly layered aromas of dried apricot, quince, dried orange peel, sultana, and crème brûlée rise from […]

Château d’Yquem 1998

Château d'Yquem 1998

What can be said about d’Yquem can only be expressed in poetry, even in a modest vintage like 1998. It is an inner sanctum, a fragrant garden, a poignant release that is both profound and glorious. Descriptors cannot do it justice, sensual and honey-drenched layers of apricots, vanilla bean, creme brûlée and almond pastry. Viscous […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com