Castle Sigalas Rabaud - Sauternes 2011

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/28/2015

Tasted blind at the Sauternes 2011 horizontal tasting. The Château Sigalas-Rabaud 2011 has a Semillon-driven bouquet with honey, beeswax, honeysuckle and white peach scents all focused and gaining in intensity in the glass. The palate is viscous on the entry, the honeyed fruits neatly offset by the acidity. It does not quite build upon its initial promise however, opting to play it safe on the finish. It is undoubtedly an attractive Sauternes but I suspect that affording it several year’s cellaring will pay dividends.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

92 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe8/31/2014

Bright yellow-gold. Very pure aromas of lemon, guava, mango, minerals and fresh flowers are lifted by spicy botrytis. Sweet, rich and seamless, with smoky flavors of pineapple and grapefruit. Very long on the aftertaste, which showcases pure, spicy citrus and apricot notes. (92(+?) points)

Vinum

17 / 20

the6/30/2014

Grosse aromatische Komlpexitat, Zitrusfrüchte, Botrytis, im Mund dicht und voll, ewig langes, frisches Finale, sehr schöner, ausegwogener Wein, der schon jetzet Spass macht, aber auch gut reifen kann. 2020 bis 2030

Jamessuckling.com

96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/19/2014

Wow. This Sauternes shows an amazing intensity of dried pineapple, mango and spicy botrytis. It really shakes you. Full body and very sweet, but with an intense, wild finish of everything. Speechless. Best ever from here. Hard not to drink it now, but better in 2020.

Wine Spectator

90-93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/11/2014

Quite rich, with mango, pineapple and apricot notes on a large frame. The long, creamy finish features a lot of ginger and nectarine. Shows raw power now, but the purity and length are here.

La Revue du Vin de France

18-19 / 20

the5/31/2012

ISsu d'un rendemenet total de 18hl/ha, l'échantillon dégusté est d'une grande finesse exotique et fruitée, d'une pureté infinie. Harmonieux et long en finale, ce sauternes est racé, ample et de très grande expression minérale. De richesse modérée (131g), le sucre n'apparaît que très peu dans une bouche marquée par une acidité plus élevée (4,30g)

Decanter.com

17 / 20

the4/30/2012

Great poise and balance. In keeping with its recent style, the flavours are complex, delicately layered, backed by crisp acidity. For a gentle wine the finish is very long. Drink 2021-2045.

Wine Advocate

89-91 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2012

The Sigalas-Rabaud has a precise bouquet of lightly honeyed fruit mingling with orange blossom and apricot. The palate is medium-bodied with fine acidity, although this is not a powerful Sauternes and it is missing concentration on the delicate, pretty finish, which has fine tension if not length. Perhaps it will improve by the time of bottling? Drink 2013-2025.(89-91+ points)

TAST

16-17 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2012

Boisé dominateur sur ces échantillons, grande richesse aromatique, plus fluide et élancé que Fargues, très fin, par encore complètement formé.

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/30/2012

2017-2055

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe4/25/2012

Drink 2019-2032
RS 130 g/l, TA 3.8 g/l. Mid to deep gold. Very attractive oily spice over apricot and lemon richness. Same golden spice on the palate, becoming elegant and fruity as it crosses the palate and refined on the finish. Lovely harmony in a rich style. (JH) 13.65%

Asian Palate

91-92 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2012

Great poise and balance. In keeping with its recent style, the flavours are complex, delicately layered, backed by crisp acidity. For a gentle wine the finish is very long.

Wine Spectator

90-93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/9/2012

Quite rich, with mango, pineapple and apricot notes on a large frame. The long, creamy finish features a lot of ginger and nectarine. Shows raw power now, but the purity and length are here.—J.M.

Wine Enthusiast

92-94 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/2/2012

This wine has both weight and a light touch. Its weight is driven by the powerful botrytis character and ripe apricot fruit; its lightness comes from a straight line of intense acidity that cuts through the wine. It should age a long time. ––R.V