Critics Ratings

1988:
'Exotic, intoxicatingly sweet scents of coconut cream pie, toasted almond bar, hazelnut liqueur, melted butter and caramel. Unctuous and quite sweet, but wonderfully harmonious acidity and a lively note of orange peel give it shape and grip. Drinking beautifully today, but capable of remaining at this level for another decade or more. Finishes extremely long and suave, with no sign of heat.' - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 92/100 (Jul 1998)

'The estate describes this as the most elegant and racy of the trilogy, a late harvest saved by an Indian summer. The botrytis infection was slow and consequently the harvest could not begin until October6, the most concentrated grapes picked between November 5-8 and then remarkably late, from November 15-23. It offers 13.95% alcohol and 122 grams residual sugar per liter. I just love this nose – a glorious bouquet of ripe Clementine, mandarin, a slight adhesive scent and dandelion. The palate is superbly balanced with a keen line of acidity, beautifully poised dried mango and mandarin flavors, plus a touch of white pepper enlivening the finish. There is a Barsac like quality to this most Sauternes of Sauternes! Drinking superbly now.' - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Apr 2013)

‘Demerara and caramel with apricot, crystallised pineapple and saffron – such sheer pleasure. Sleek and succulent and bursting with exquisite richness, underlined with perfect acidity.’ – Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Mar 2022)

‘Medium yellow. Exotic, high-toned apricot, spices and flowers on the nose, complemented by coconutty, toasty oak. Very sweet and unctuous, with exotic, nobly rotten flavors of pineapple, apricot and coconut and an impression of elevated alcohol. Not quite as racy, fruity or structured as the 2007; conveys an impression of softer acidity, and yet this maintains a light touch. Finishes with suggestions of vanilla and marzipan.’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 92/100 (Jul 2008)

Provenance

Private Client