Bordeaux Theme
Live Virtual Auction, 17 September 2023
Bordeaux
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About this Item
Located in the Bommes sector of Sauternes, this estate was known as the “field of Rabeaud” in the seventeenth century due to the fact that one of the early owners was the Rabeaud family. The first part of the estates comes from a modernization of the Rabeaud family name, changing it to what we know of today as Rabaud.
The 33 hectare Sauternes vineyard of Chateau Rabaud Promis is planted to 80% Semillon, 18% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Muscadelle. On average the vines are close to 40 years of age. The vineyard, located close to the chateau is planted to a vine density of 6,666 vines per hectare. The terroir is mostly gravel with clay soil on a sloping, gravel hillside.
The lot consists of 1 bottle each Rabaud Promis Sauternes 1988, 1990, 2001.
Critics Ratings
1988:
‘The first of two wines from this very succulent and successful Sauternes vintage. A relatively light, refreshing mature Sauternes, it tasted just like candied pears. Lovely and juicy.’ – Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Mar 2011)
‘The 1988 possesses great richness, sweetness, and unctuous texture, as well as high acidity, plenty of botrytis, a wonderful, rich, honeyed pineapple, coconut, and orange-scented nose, gobs of rich fruit, and excellent delineation. Approachable now, it promises to age effortlessly for 25-30 years.’ – Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Jan 1998)
‘Fairly pale color. Fresh aromas of fruit salad; some unresolved SO2 gives this a whiff of gunpowder. Very rich, sweet and intensely flavored, given shape and delineation by vibrant acidity. A lovely floral nuance lifts the fruit. Not yet particularly complex, but fat and stuffed with flavor. Enticingly sweet, lingering aftertaste. A classy '88.’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 90/100 (Jul 1998)
1990:
‘The 1990 reveals plenty of honeyed richness, a full-blown, heavyweight style, and considerable spice. While there is a slight lack of acidity, it is a huge, full-bodied wine for drinking over the next 15 or so years.’ – Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90/100 (Jan 1998)
‘Fresh and clean, quite light in this company but focused, revealing lively hay, earth, mineral and lemon flavors that offer good length but not much opulence.’ – Wine Spectator (Apr 1995)
‘Very reticent nose exudes a delicate floral, appley quality. Quite fresh in the mouth, with good cut and flavor intensity. Flavor of apple and honey. Nicely balanced but not terribly rich or complex. Fresh, moderately sweet aftertaste.’ - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous (Jul 1998)
2001:
‘Brilliant yellow-gold color. Very strong aromas of tropical fruit and honey. Full-bodied, with apricot and botrytis spice character that takes off like afterburners. Fantastic. Best after 2010.’ – Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Sep 2004)
‘The Rabaud-Promis has a lovely bouquet with hints of dried honey, nutmeg and crème brûlée blossoming in the glass. The palate is well balanced with a viscous opening: a surfeit of botrytis here that vibrant mandarin and dried pineapple notes. There is a great sense of cohesion to this Rabaud-Promis with a long tail of spicy fruit on the finish. This is consistent with my tasting at the property in April 2012. Superb.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Oct 2014)
Provenance
Private Client
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