2001 - Guiraud, Sauternes

The 2001 Guiraud sports a fragrant but not intense nose, featuring the lanolin and apricot notes that I observed previously; touches of grilled walnut surface with time. The lightly spiced palate is very well balanced with a honeyed opening and ginger-infused quince and marmalade flavors. It builds nicely on the finish without fully letting rip. A commendable, delicious Guiraud that should give another 15–20 years of drinking pleasure.

Full bottle 1,375 g. Glowing orange. Nose of burnt orange peel. Palate of barley sugar. Not that heavy, not that sweet. I wonder how this will be with the rhubarb we plan to serve it with? (It was rather a welcome, sweet complement to the tartness of the English rhubarb, the first of the season to have been grown in the wild rather than under glass). Really quite refreshing. I think if you were brave you could serve this with something savoury, a creamy paté? Long. Very neat and self-contained. (JR)