2022 Chateau de Rayne Vigneau Premier Cru Classe, Sauternes

Lovely spicy character to this with dried lemon and orange character. Medium body, lovely sweetness and acidity. Balanced and focused.

Shy and introverted at this stage, the 2022 Château de Rayne Vigneau exhales aromas of herbs, fern, licorice and ripe pear. Moderately weighted, sweet and juicy, it’s a bit heavy, with notes of menthol and spices in the finish. This blend of 73% Sémillon, 24% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscadelle was produced at a yield of 14 hectoliters per hectare.

Intense, concentrated, baked apple and flaky pastry character, rich and luscious given shape by fennel and aniseed. 14hl/h yield, Vincent Labergère director.

73% Sémillon, 24% Sauvignon Blanc, 3% Muscadelle. RS 150 g/l. Cask sample. Rich, golden hue. Zesty and fresh with mandarin, citrus and roasted notes. Both expressive and complex at the same time. Palate rich but lively. Bitter-botrytised freshness on the finish. Persistence and balance. (JL)

73% Sémillon, 24% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscadelle. Zesty with orange-pith bitterness and lots of energy. Maybe it's just a tad too sweet? But admirable! Long. Great stuff. (JR)