"I found these 2020 sweet wines to be pure, well balanced and approachable...Regular top performers all deliver"
Wine Advocate released a set of high-scoring reviews last week on top names of 2020 Sauternes with some glowing remarks on the vintage in general:
"Given some of the vintage’s extreme challenges, I was surprised by how good some of Bordeaux’s sweet whites turned out to be.
Some surprisingly impressive sweet wines, demonstrating a good amount of botrytic character, if not as concentrated and rich as more consistently great vintages. This said, I actually like the generally lighter, fresher styles of the most successful 2020 sweets, which still maintain a lot of layers and unmistakable signatures. For this reason, I believe this is a vintage that Bordeaux lovers who do necessarily gravitate toward big, rich, sweet wines are going to want to seek out. These are wines with serious drinkability, which should give a lot of pleasure within just a few years of cellaring, and yet have the intensity and harmony to cellar a good few decades in the best cases." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate
Neal Martin had the following insight on the vintage to go along with top scores from Vinous Media:
"Sauternes has had the best decade ever in terms of quality. I did not have huge expectations, but generally I found these 2020 sweet wines to be pure, well balanced and approachable...Regular top performers such as Coutet and Suduiraut all deliver, although I might be tempted by the superb Doisy-Daëne if I had to choose just one Sauternes."
Below we've featured some top selections, while our full list of 2020 Sauternes is available on our website. Don't miss this opportunity to secure your allocations at the opening prices.
Our Futures Landing Page includes a Vintage Report from Andy Lench, founder and CEO of Bordeaux Wine Locators, our importer, from his 36th year tasting Bordeaux from barrel. You can also see our Wines of the Vintage, Over-Achievers, and Value Drinkers.
2020 Doisy Daene (Barsac)
Neal Martin's "Jewel in The Crown" of 2020 Sauternes
95-97 VM / 96 DE / 94-96 WA / 93-95 WE / 17 JR
The 2020 Doisy-Daëne, pure Sémillon this year picked at 16hl/ha over three to six tries through the vineyard, presents a well-defined nose that, compared side-by-side with Doisy-Védrines, is actually quite similar in terms of the dried honey, honeysuckle, candle wax and quince aromas that unfurl from the glass. The palate is beautifully balanced with a fine bead of acidity, and such purity on the finish that it endows this Barsac with wonderful weightlessness. Magnificent. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media
$42.08 ea. 750ml | 5% off full cases | OWC of 6 or 12 | Future | BUY NOW
See all available sizes
2020 Extravagant De Doisy Daene (Sauternes)
97-99 WA / 96-98 VM
The 2020 L'Extravagant reveals a pale lemon-gold color, exploding from the glass with atomic scents of key lime pie, pineapple upside-down cake and persimmon butter, plus hints of cinnamon stick, powdered ginger, honeysuckle and beeswax and a touch of musk perfume. The palate bursts with a firework display of candied citrus peel and tropical fruit flavors, giving way to tons of spicy sparks and an invigorating backbone of freshness, finishing with epic length and polish. Wow, that is good. - Lisa Perotti-Brown, Wine Advocate
$225.98 ea. 375ml | 5% off 6 or more | OWC of 1 | Future | BUY NOW
2020 Coutet (Barsac)
95-97 WE / 94-96+ WA / 94 DE / 92-94 VM / 17+ JR
The 2020 Coutet has a pale lemon-gold color, waltzing out of the glass with energetic notes of lemon tart, pink grapefruit, green mango and lime blossoms, with hints of chopped almonds, clover honey, candle wax and straw, plus a waft of sea spray. The palate is all class, featuring ethereal intensity and amazing poise, enveloped in a satiny texture and seamless acidity, finishing long and mineral laced. Currently, while it is just a tick or so down on the impressive 2019, I love the restraint and energy of this 2020 and wouldn't be surprised if it eventually spreads its wings and surpasses its showier sibling over time. - Lisa Perotti-Brown, Wine Advocate
$40.89 ea. 750ml | OWC of 6 or 12 | Future | BUY NOW
See all available sizes
2020 Guiraud (Sauternes)
95-97 WE / 94-95 JS / 93-95 VM / 94 DE / 92-94 WA / 16.5 JR
Tightly structured and with its impressive balance between sweetness and a taut texture, this wine is obviously set for some considerable aging. The dry core of botrytis balances its density and its dark marmalade flavors. This wine has a great future. Organic. - Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast
$47.69 ea. 750ml | OWC of 6 or 12 | Future | BUY NOW
See all available sizes
2020 La Tour Blanche (Sauternes)
95-97 WA / 93-95 VM / 93-94 JS / 92–94 WE
Pale gold in color, the 2020 la Tour Blanche opens with nutty notions of praline and toasted almonds, giving way to a core of peach cobbler, pineapple tart and baked apples, plus spicy wafts of candied ginger and nutmeg. The palate is incredibly concentrated and hedonic, its richness beautifully offset by a wicked backbone of freshness, delivering layer upon layer of nuts, stone fruits and spices, finishing with epic length and impressive lift. Wow! - Lisa Perotti-Brown, Wine Advocate
$44.29 ea. 750ml | OWC of 6 or 12 | Future | BUY NOW
See all available sizes
2020 Lafaurie-Peyraguey (Sauternes)
96-97 JS / 94-97 VM / 93-95+ WA / 95 DE
The 2020 Lafaurie-Peyraguey is one of the most exotic, alluring wines of the year. Tropical fruit, crème brûlée, apricot, tangerine preserves and white flowers are all beautifully lifted. Deep and layered, but not at all heavy, the 2020 impresses with its exquisite balance and totally seductive personality. It is the sort of wine that is hard to move on from in a tasting. Memorable. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
$57.89 ea. 750ml | OWC of 6 or 12 | Future | BUY NOW
See all available sizes
2020 Suduiraut (Sauternes)
97-98 JS / 94-97 VM / 96 DE / 94-96 WE / 93-95 WA
A Sauternes with tart tartine, cooked apple and caramel. It’s full-bodied, juicy and sweet, yet there’s lots of caramel and spice, too, such as cloves. Comes across almost dry. But lots of sweetness. Pure semillon. Unique. Tiny production. - James Suckling
$72.99 ea. 750ml | OWC of 6 or 12 | Future | BUY NOW
See all available sizes
2% discount for orders placed with a wire or personal check.* Please click here to send us your order via our contact page, or call 360.350.4896 and we will be glad to assist you. (*Minimum order of $1000 for domestic wire, or $5000 for international wire. No minimum for personal check. For wines eligible for 5% case/9L discounts, maximum discount is 5%.)
Interested in a wine not on our website, or in placing a non-committed pre-order for particular 2020 Bordeaux? Click here to send us your list and we will advise as soon as the wines are available.
BOTTLING CHARGES FOR OTHER FORMATS Please note: Most Chateaux will be able to bottle your orders in the below formats. Click here or call +360.350.4896 if you are interested in any of the following options and they are not listed on our website:
375 ML - 12 x 750ml price + $30.00 per case (min. order of 24 x 375ml)
1.5 L - 12 x 750ml price + $20 per case (min. order of 6 x 1.5L)
3.0 L - 4 x 750ml price + $55 each
5.0 L - 7 x 750ml price + $75 each
6.0 L - 8 x 750ml price + $95 each
9.0 L - 12 x 750ml price + $150 each
12.0 L - 16 x 750ml price + $175 each
15.0 L - 24 x 750ml price + $225 each
18.0 L - 20 x 750ml price + $275 each
|
Grand Vin Wine Merchants · 1003 4th Ave East · Olympia, Washington 98506 · United States (360) 350-4896
|
|
|
