Top Sauternes 2017 wines
Jane Anson's scores and tasting notes for the Sauternes 2017 wines, exclusive to Decanter Premium members...
See all Sauternes 2017 wines
Some wonderfully rich and ripe Sauternes and Barsac wines can be found in the Bordeaux 2017 vintage, but unusually the brilliant dry white wine vintage does not quite so easily translate to a truly exceptional sweet wine one this year.
The challenge was the gap of four to five weeks between the ripening of the white grapes and the onset of the noble rot. Sauternes had just 37mm of rain across July and August, which meant early ripening of white grapes.
The cool mid-August weather was great for ripening of white grapes while retaining freshness and ensuring high and concentrated aromatics. But maintaining those characteristics is not easy in white grapes, particularly the aromatics in Sauvignon Blanc. Most dry whites were being brought in by the third week of September.
The dry August mean there were a few less instances of the famous Sauternes mists that usually occur from late August onwards and that kickstart the botrytis. It meant that some of the grapes that had been left for the sweet wine began to over-concentrate with a touch of raisining.
The 65mm that fell from September 1 to 16 were essential, because this then began the process of botrytis, and in the end harvest was fully underway by the third and fourth week of September.
Careful sorting was essential, as was picking quickly to preserve as much freshness as possible.
This is a rich and gourmet vintage, some wonderful wines for hedonists, somewhere close to 2009 in style says Sandrine Garbay at Yquem, similar for its early ripeness and then rich botrytis coming behind.
But low acidity means many of the wines lack a little contrast between light and shade, sweetness and bitterness – something that in my experience this style of wines need to be truly thrilling.
Jane Anson’s top Sauternes 2017 wines
Château Guiraud was ‘one of the successes of the appellation’ writes Anson, with a ‘silky and concentrated’ wine.
Château Doisy-Daëne, l’Extravagant is ‘a fantastic example of accomplished winemaking’ and Château de Fargues is ‘really utterly delicious.’
The wines below all scored 91 points and above. Find all Sauternes 2017 wines here.
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Château d'Yquem, Sauternes, 1er Cru Classé Superieur, Bordeaux, France, 2017
Still very youthful with light golden colours, showing flashes of green in the glass. Intensely aromatic with tropical fruit notes, pineapple, roasted apricot, honey and...
2017
Château d'YquemSauternes
Château de Fargues, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France, 2017
As ever, the complexity and raciness of this wine just stands out. Its flavours of mandarin, lime, saffron and slatey minerality are extremely elegant, and...
2017
Château de FarguesSauternes
Château Doisy-Daëne, l'Extravagance, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France, 2017
It's very hard not to be impressed with this wine. Extremely silky, this has an almost pure mandarin flavour, shot through with some lovely blood...
2017
Château Doisy-DaëneSauternes
Château Coutet, Sauternes, 1er Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2017
Rich sunflower yellow in colour, this has a good concentration of subtle spiced ginger on the nose, followed by rich citrus and apricot tart flavours,...
2017
Château CoutetSauternes
Château Guiraud, Sauternes, 1er Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2017
Silky and concentrated, this is one of the successes of the appellation for me. It has lovely zest and zip, with touches of candied ginger...
2017
Château GuiraudSauternes
Château Rieussec, Sauternes, 1er Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2017
An exceptional wine, this is just stuffed full of exotic fruits, layers of apricot, saffron, truffle and citrus, all powering through the palate with a...
2017
Château RieussecSauternes
Château Doisy-Védrines, Sauternes, 2ème Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2017
A well judged wine with a good attack, showing nectarines, tinned peaches, lemongrass, white pepper and touches of truffle. The acidity could be a touch...
2017
Château Doisy-VédrinesSauternes
Château Sigalas Rabaud, Sauternes, 1er Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2017
Laure has been selecting only the best plots for this wine for several years, increasing production of her dry whites elsewhere in the vineyard. This...
2017
Château Sigalas RabaudSauternes
Château Raymond-Lafon, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France, 2017
This has a lovely intensity of quince, citrus and bright stone fruits, with a very attractive balancing acidity. The aromatics are not quite as sharp...
2017
Château Raymond-LafonSauternes
Château Broustet, Sauternes, 2ème Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2017
A good job from this estate, with subdued citrus aromas leading into an extremely silky palate. The attack kicks in with exotic mangos and nectarines,...
2017
Château BroustetSauternes
Château de Rayne Vigneau, Sauternes, 1er Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2017
Pineapple comes through clearly on the nose here, leading to an extremely distinct palate with a rich, silky mouthfeel, good impact and notable fresh acidity....
2017
Château de Rayne VigneauSauternes
Château Cantegril, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France, 2017
A rich but well-measured Sauternes, this is packed full of nectarine pits, rich peaches, grilled almond and tobacco notes, joined by the saffron and white...
2017
Château CantegrilSauternes
Château La Tour Blanche, Sauternes, 1er Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2017
Showing concentrated layers of fleshy mango and tinned peaches, this manages to maintain its exotic intensity without being dragged down by its own weight. There's...
2017
Château La Tour BlancheSauternes
Château Rabaud-Promis, Sauternes, 1er Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2017
Rich sunflower in colour, this is more concentrated than some, showing good intensity and a lovely texture through the palate. It features a gathering together...
2017
Château Rabaud-PromisSauternes
Château Filhot, Sauternes, 2ème Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2017
A very charming, medium-term Sauternes with a spring in its step. It has soft lemongrass aromatics and lovely bright reflections. I like the fresh lift...
2017
Château FilhotSauternes
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Sauternes, 1er Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2017
Pure, round and compact. Lower acidity but the persistent floral and mandarin citrus aromatics offer charm and freshness. Gentle, bitter orange finish.
2017
Château Lafaurie-PeyragueySauternes
