Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts

I've tried a few 2001 Sauternes recently to check-in on their development and to consider acquiring more... I opened from 2001: Coutet, de Malle, Lafaurie-Peyraguey and Doisy-Daene.

A few observations... these stickies seemed much more muted and simple than a few years ago, even when followed over 2 weeks. The best was the Lafaurie, but even it seemed a bit flat. Are they shut down? Strangely, they seemed to lack a real acidic verve which didn't seem to be an issue for this vintage on release and a few had a bitter-acrid note on the finish (which I am told can age away with time).

It might be unrelated, but there still a fair amount of 2001 Sauternes floating around at release prices or sometimes even lower for all but the top performers in the vintage (chateau like Suduiraut, Rieussec, and Tour Blanche have really skyrocketed in price since their $20-25 half-bottle release prices), especially if you shop around.

Any thoughts or experiences on this?

Oh dear!
I just bought a few bottles of 01 Rieussec, and not at release prices!

Michael-P

I had the 2001 Rieussec last year, Michael, and all agreed that it was pretty epic. Young, primary and stunning.

I think the '03s are better for drinking now. Let your '01s sleep.

Yes they are shut down tight. Believe your early impressions. I am not touching for another 5+ years. This is an amazing vintage. Sauternes is a 'cult'-type wine and has always been. The good buys are because the retailers overbought.

I have not popped open any 01's in quite a while since I figured they would go through a dumb period, which I hope is what your experienced. When trying within the first couple of years of release my notes are very favorable for both the de Malle and the Lafaurie-Peyraguey. My notes on the Coutet however were rather lackluster. I got an astrincency that I really didn't care for and didn't find it in the same league as the other two forementioned wines.

Like yourself, I've constantly been on the hunt for additional 01's. In particular I've been seeking out the 01'Suduiraut. Unfortunately that was one I missed on release and have been literaly paying for it ever since. When I can find it for less than $90 I've been a buyer. I honestly think it is the equal of the Rieussec and only time will tell which one is better. Luckily I did stock up on the 01' Rieussec in NH for the sick price of $54/btl on release.

You guys are holding up the Sauternes region for BWE, it's commendable, no doubt. Don't worry - these wines will certainly come around, although bummer, you might be dead by that time. Blanquito, with the huge stash that I'm sure you have, I think you should open one up with each of the coeds that you meet for lunch. That way you can enjoy a sort of two-for-one type of educational experience. In the mean time, I'm going to be on the lookout for 2007 Sauternes. I hate to haggle and I value freshness above many things.
Ciao!

-Chasse

Who gets more freshies, guitar players or silvicultre professors?

Investment bankers get the most, I believe.

I agree with other posters who say these are merely shut-down and will come around. I opened many in May this year and they weren't showing well. But they will be great again, given time.

As if cto confirm, was chatting with Aline Baly of Coutet last week who said in a quick and spontaneous vintage run-down pretty much the same thing - they're just not showing well at the moment.

When tasting the 2009's at Ch de Fargues earlier this year Compte Alexandre de Lur Saluces said that in his opinion the essential character of good Sauternes changes every ten years or so. It shouldn't be long before the secondary flavours of the 2001's begin to come through (e.g. dried as opposed to fresh fruit flavours). A lot depends, therefore, on how you like your Sauternes! Yes Sauternes does close up a little (by no means as much as reds though IMO) but if you prefer your Sauternes young then I'd recommend decanting and leaving it in the fridge with the stopper off for a couple of hours - the fantastic complexity of the 2001's will reveal themselves given a little air.

Steve, welcome to the forum and thank you for the input!

While I generally agree with SauternesSteve's generalities, I think it will be longer before the 2001 Sauternes come around. This was such a monumental vintage that the acid/sugar combo will take longer to become the secondary characteristics we all know and love. Time will tell, but at least a few more years than usual will be needed.

I am finishing a '03 Coutet I opened a couple of days ago. Wow! If you have avoided the '03s because they are supposedly flabby, try one now after giving it lots of air. The mixed fruits are enticing, the botrytis is inviting, and the minerals will send you spinning. I don't care if the the '01s will be ready only after I go to That Great Tasting Room in the Sky as long as the '03s continue to give such pleasure.

We had a bottle of the 2003 Coutet a night leading up to the BWE 1986 Horizontal (Alex, Ian and Chris were there) and I thought it was terrific. Hound and I had a lovely 2003 Suduiraut in Salida. The 2003 Rieussec is great and the Nairac is also really good. So, I'm with you Bill, the best of the 2003s are really good (though I haven't tried one in a few years).

Anyone tried any 05s? I bought three 05 La Tour Blanche the other day from K&L for $30 each. Not sure why since I rarely drink any. Maybe I'll have a whole bottle with Thanksgiving dinner this year. Anyway, I think Parker rated 05 pretty highly for Sauternes/Barsac yet the wines are understandably overshadowed by the reds that year. Plus some of the weaker red years have been also very good if not outstanding for Sauternes/Barsac. This may be the greatest decade ever for these wines. Until the next greatest decade ever comes along that is. I have enough 03s to cover me for a while, especially at the burn rate of 0 per year, and glad to hear they're enjoyable.

We had a bottle of the 03 La Tour Blanche tonight. It's as fantastic - thick, honeyed, cardamon laden - as ever. Yes, the 2001 is better, but at this point I'm out of those, and this is really great in its own way. This doesn't need a dessert to go with it. Just chill it and watch the nose/palate blossom as it warms up. Its very viscous, and turning dark gold now.

What a spectacular era the 2001-2013 (odd) years have been for lovers of Sauternes/Barsac.

Fun to revive this thread. I've had the 01 de Malle and Coutet in the intervening years, and they've both snapped out of their funks of 7 years ago. The 01 de Malle is especially good at present, in a darker, richer caramelly way.

And yes, the 03 LTB is in terrific form. Had it last month.

2001 Yquem was freaking awesome 4 months ago and 2001 Fargues was kicking a$$ 2 weeks ago.

I have a couple of 01 Suduiraut 750s. Doubt they're ready yet. I drank through quite a few 375s of various 01s with generally good results.

2001 Suduiraut is doing very well right now, a bit on the young side but very enjoyable. Probably good for another 20+ years.

Chris Bublitz