20 samples tasted. A panel of great wealth, mainly classified growths elsewhere, which allowed me to see how exceptional it is, and I weigh my words.

Appellation in difficulty for years, shunned by the consumer, Sauternes has reinvented itself and rethink its wines, and we see it clearly this year. The vintages pass and none is alike on this terroir so singular.

This year, like the bass whites, the sweet wines are of a remarkable aromatic expression, the sugars are perfectly controlled and the acidities bring a considerable freshness, which makes them very digestible (important when you know that this is what they are accused of).

Here are my Top 5 wines tasted according to the ratings:

• Château Climens
• Château Rieussec
• Château Suduiraut
• Château Guiraud
• Château de Fargues

A Château Climens which, in my eyes, clearly flies over the appellation. It must be said that at this level, it is simply a matter of details and tastes. For my part, I like when the Sauternes are concentrated, expressive, with great complexity, but especially when they have this tense frame from beginning to end.

As surprising as it may seem, my crush does not go to one of these 5 wines, even if, it must be admitted, they are just as exceptional as each other. This year my favorite, is none other than the Château de Rayne Vigneau which is simply masterful. An aromatic complexity worthy of the best of the appellation, with a sweetness mastered to perfection, but above all a balance to make pale more than one. Add to all this a remarkable tension and you will have the winning combo.

Finally, the outsider and my top value for money, I named the castle Doisy-Daëne. What a bomb! Constantly growing in recent years, in 2023 the property has really crossed a step, being able to go and titillate the best of the appellation. Bravo!

Find below my tasting comments:

• Château d’Arche                                                                      93-94/100

Fresh nose and a beautiful intensity, we discover notes of citrus, honey and fruits with white flesh. Attack on the palate sweet, with a nice aromatic expression, acidity at the end of the mouth brings balance. Convincing length.

• Château Bastor-Lamontagne                                                93-94/100

Sharp, precise and refined, the nose reveals a nice bouquet of notes of orange, lemon, apricot, peach, honey, with a hint of vanilla. On the palate, it is sweet, with a beautiful aromatic intensity. The sweetness is well controlled. The tension at the end of the mouth brings freshness. Long and elegant finish.

• Château Broustet                                                                    92-93/100

Fresh nose, and a beautiful intensity, we perceive nice notes of citrus, honey with slight notes of vanilla. Palate sweet, rich with a nice balance brought by a certain acidity. Finish of a correct length.

• Château Climens                                                                     97-98/100

Complex nose, captivating, vibrant, of considerable aromatic richness. We discover a wonderful bouquet of citrus, honey, with subtle floral and vanilla notes. The attack on the palate is both delicate and opulent, with considerable sweetness and a remarkable aromatic intensity. A fine acidity brings balance, but above all a lot of freshness. The finish is harmoniously elegant and persistent. One of the greatest sweet wines of the vintage.

• Château Coutet                                                                       96-97/100

Lively and fresh nose, it reveals its intense notes of grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, with slight notes of white flesh fruit and subtle vanilla notes. The attack on the palate is both lively, precise, and full of sweetness, the sweetness is perfectly controlled, and the aromatic richness is remarkable. The final tension brings a superb freshness. Wonderful persistence in the finish.

• Château Doisy Daëne                                                             96-97/100

Complex and remarkably intense, the nose reveals its wonderful bouquet of candied apricots, peaches, vanilla with its subtle spicy notes. On the palate, it is opulent, sweet, and perfectly balanced by a remarkable acidity. What an aromatic richness. The sweetness is perfectly controlled. End of mouth all in elegance, tension and persistence.

• Château Doisy-Védrines                                                         95-96/100

Fresh and intense nose with notes of candied oranges, apricot with slight spicy notes. Palate sweet, rich and very well balanced. Well controlled sweetness. A fine acidity brings freshness. Refined finish and a very nice length.

• Château de Fargues                                                                97-98/100

Brilliant, precise, and remarkably rich, the nose reveals its superb bouquet of apricot, peach, mango, pineapple, mixed with delicate floral notes. On the palate, opulence and sweetness mingle with a wonderful tension, which gives an elegant freshness. A persistent finish and a remarkable aromatic intensity.

• Château Filhot                                                                         93-94/100

Nose of a beautiful intensity with notes of citrus, exotic fruits with a hint of spicy notes. On the palate, it is sweet, elegant, the sweetness is well controlled. A fine acidity brings balance and freshness. Fruity finish with a very convincing length.

• Château Guiraud                                                                    97-98/100

Lively, precise and complex nose, we discover an intense bouquet of candied oranges, lemon zest, apricot, pineapple, with subtle spicy notes. The palate is rich, sweet and full of vivacity. With a remarkable aromatic intensity, the sweetness is very well controlled. The perceived acidity at the end of the mouth brings a superb balance. The finish is both fresh, elegant and of great persistence.

• Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey                                                 96-97/100

Complex and intense nose with notes of citrus, apricots, white flesh fruits with a hint of vanilla and subtle spicy notes. Elegant palate with great sweetness and a beautiful aromatic expression. Sweetness well controlled and well balanced by a nice acidity, which brings a pleasant freshness. Refined finish and a very nice length.

• Château Lamothe Guignard                                                  94-95/100

 Fresh and expressive, the nose reveals its notes of citrus, apricots, pineapple, honey and slight vanilla and spicy notes. Attack on the palate sweet and a beautiful aromatic intensity. The nice minerality final brings a lot of freshness. Very pleasant length.

• Château La Tour Blanche                                                       95-96/100

A clean, complex and beautiful intensity nose with notes of orange, lemon, peach, pineapple, with subtle floral and spicy notes. Palate soft, refined and very expressive. Well balanced, the sweetness is controlled and accompanied by a nice acidity which brings a beautiful freshness. A finish full of minerality and persistence.

• Château Myrat                                                                        94-95/100

Lively, fresh nose, with intense notes of candied orange, lemon, apricot, honey with slight vanilla notes. Palate full of sweetness and finesse with a beautiful acidity, which gives a nice balance. Fresh finish and convincing length. A very nice vintage for the property.

• Château Nairac                                                                        94-95/100

Precise, rich and expressive nose with notes of citrus, white flowers, honey, with fine vanilla and spicy notes. On the palate it is sweet, the sweetness is well controlled. Well balanced by a fine acidity. Finish of a very nice length.

• Château de Rayne Vigneau                                                   96-97/100

Lively, precise and complex nose, we discover an intense bouquet of citrus, white peaches, apricots, honey, with subtle floral notes. On the palate full of vivacity and sweetness, the sweetness is perfectly controlled. A fresh acidity brings a very nice balance. A finish full of minerality, persistence, but above all elegance. A Rayne Vigneau of remarkable finesse, which once again demonstrates the richness of its terroir but also the requirement and precision of its teams, both in the vineyard and in the cellar.

• Château Rieussec                                                                   97-98/100

Harmoniously rich and fresh, the nose offers a remarkable bouquet of apricots, white-fleshed fruits, candied lemon, orange zests with subtle floral and spicy notes. On the palate, it is full of sweetness, refinement and balance. A sweetness beautifully controlled and supported by a fine acidity, which brings a great freshness. The finish is mineral, elegant and of considerable length. Simply superb.

• Château Romer                                                                       93-94/100

Clean and intense nose with notes of citrus, apricots, honey and vanilla. On the palate, it is sweet and well balanced. The sweetness is very well accompanied by a fine acidity that brings a beautiful freshness. Final of a convincing length.

• Château Sigalas Rabaud                                           96-97/100

Precise, rich and expressive nose, it reveals a wonderful bouquet of candied citrus, ripe apricots, honey, with fine vanilla notes and subtle spicy notes. On the palate, it is sweet and remarkably concentrated. Superb balance between well controlled sweetness and fine acidity. The finish is fresh, persistent, but above all a wonderful elegance.

• Château Suduiraut                                                                 97-98/100

Dazzling with richness and freshness, the nose offers an intense bouquet of candied oranges, apricots, peaches, honey, with a hint of vanilla. On the palate, it is a remarkable aromatic richness. The acidity perfectly accompanies this considerable sweetness, the balance is superb. The finish is a superb length. A very large Suduiraut.