Château Guiraud - Sauternes 2011

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

par Neal Martin le 28/02/2015

Tasted blind at the Sauternes 2011 horizontal tasting. After Yquem and Doisy-Védrines, the Château Guiraud 2011 seems a little muted on the nose, but that is not fair because it is well defined and very focused, gradually unfurling to reveal scents of honey, orange blossom and quince. The palate is well balanced with a fine line of acidity. This is a more understated Sauternes, harmonious and nonchalant in style, but don’t be fooled because there is great tension, delineation and poise on the finish, the fruit seamlessly bound with the new oak. This appears to have gained elegance and complexity in bottle, ergo my higher score.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

93 / 100

par Ian D'Agata le 31/08/2014

Bright yellow-gold.  Deep aromas of lime, peach, quince, minerals, menthol and saffron are complicated by tangy botrytis tones.  Ripe, creamy flavors of peach, lime and lemon verbena show noteworthy sweetness and power, with harmonious acidity providing lift.  This very rich, textured wine  coats the palate with tropical fruit and mineral flavors that linger impressively on the back end, enlivened by a brisk citrus element.  This stellar Guiraud, which strikes me as being richer and deeper than the 2010, is still very young and will improve further in a good cold cellar. (93+ points)

Vinum

16,5 / 20

le 30/06/2014

Verschlossen und noch sehr vom Ausbau geprägt in dieser Phase, wuchtig, dicht und vollmundig wie ein Lakor, deutlich schwerfalliger als das Primeurmuster. 2018 bis 2030

Jamessuckling.com

99 / 100

par James Suckling le 19/02/2014

This wine has exceptional clarity, balance and freshness, with lots of spicy botrytis character. Full body, medium-sweet and a crisp finish. It’s racy and refined. What’s impressive is the intensity of noble rot that makes the wine feel almost dry. This is the greatest wine ever made here. Made from organic grapes. Try in 2017, but already delicious to drink.

Wine Spectator

97 / 100

par James Molesworth le 11/02/2014

A large-scale version, with seamlessly layered notes of almond cream, apricot, ginger, mango, piecrust, papaya and toasted hazelnut. The long, spice-infused finish shows ample depth, echoing with an enticing tarte Tatin note. Best from 2016 through 2035.

La Revue du Vin de France

17-18 / 20

le 31/05/2012

2011 est le premier millésime certifié "bio" du cru. La grêle qui a détruit 80% de la récolte sur certaines parcelles et la pourriture aigre expliquent les faibles rendements (9hl/ha). Une part de sauvignon plus importante apporte de l'acidité et équilibre la richesse (140g). Raffiné, ce 2011 est une réussite de l'année.

Le Point

16 / 20

par Jacques Dupont le 17/05/2012

Fruits blancs, pêche blanche, bouche vive, savoureuse, riche en liqueur, mais avec de la vivacité, citronné, long, fin malgré la richesse en sucre. O= 2016 G= 30 ans

Decanter.com

18 / 20

le 30/04/2012

Elegant, refined style, typical of Guiraud. Silky sweetness with finely woven flavours and long finish. Combines finesse with depth. Delicate yet intense, the wine possesses breeding and immense drinkability. Drink 2021-2042.

Wine Advocate

88-90 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/2012

The 2011 Guiraud is missing some of the vivacity and fruit intensity displayed by some of its peers this year, and its bouquet is quite resinous and missing the fruit concentration of others in this vintage. The palate shows more promise, with very fine tension and crisp acidity, although it is not quite matched by the finish, which feels slightly attenuated. I was hoping for more from Guiraud, which has produced some excellent wines in recent years, although both samples were consistent.

TAST

18 / 20

par Bettane & Desseauve le 30/04/2012

Beaucoup de rôti, merveilleuse finesse et race aromatique, richesse et pureté, grande suite en bouche, amers nobles, grand vin.

Wein Wisser

20 / 20

par René Gabriel le 30/04/2012

2020-2100

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

par Julia Harding MW le 25/04/2012

Drink 2019-2035
RS 140 g/l, TA 3.8 g/l. Not terribly open on the nose though you can find ripe lemon and apricot plus an oily minerality. Rich, powerful apricot fruit, bitter orange and marked freshness to counterbalance. Zesty in a rich framework, slight pear-grain grip. Pure, lots of power, incredibly viscous. Mouthwatering finish. (JH) 13.9%

Asian Palate

91-93 / 100

par Jeannie Cho Lee MW le 20/04/2012

Elegant, refined style, typical of Guiraud. Silky sweetness with finely woven flavours and long finish. Combines finesse with depth. Delicate yet intense, the wine possesses breeding and immense drinkability.

Wine Spectator

96-99 / 100

par James Molesworth le 09/04/2012

Ripe and unctuous, but with a deliciously racy orange streak running through the core of creamed pear, fig and green plum flavors. Supercreamy on the finish and very long, with honeysuckle and almond notes echoing on and on. A stunner in the making.—J.M.

Wine Enthusiast

94-96 / 100

par Roger Voss le 02/04/2012

An intense wine that is rich, rounded, dense and solid. Along with its weighty, ripe fruit, there are suggestions of acidity. Layered with botrytis flavors. ––R.V

Jamessuckling.com

95-96 / 100

par James Suckling le 01/04/2012

A super intense and lively Sauternes with dried pineapple, flan and botrytis spice character. Full and very muscular with racy acidity and a wicked finish. This is structured and powerful. Can't feel that much sweetness yet it is. Cross between 2003 and 2005?