Grapes: 100% Semillon (the Lurton familly who now own the Chateau re-planted the Sauvignon and Muscadelle vineyards when they took over).

Region: Sauternes (Barsac), Bordeaux, France

Soil Type: A thin layer of red hued clay over sand and limestone.

Winemaking: Fermentation and maturation in small oak barrels, about a third of which are replaced each year. This wine is from younger vines which are nevertheless effected by the legendary Botrytis rot.

ABV: 13.5%

Tasting Note
Marmalade and apricot on the nose with those slightly musky Botrytis notes and floral, honeysuckle overtones. The palate is soft, supple and elegantly balances, not overly viscous and has very crisp, fresh acidity. Orange blossom, apricot and brioche, even a butteriness here, some apple, banana and tropical fruit on the finish. A half bottle is in my opinion insufficient quantity for one man's consumption.

Cellaring
Like all great sweet wines, this will go on and on (although perhaps not quite as long as its big brother), and the acidity certainly confirms this. Drink now or give it 20 years (actually, that's rather a good idea......)

If you like this, why not try...while we've still got some, it has to be Bonny Doon's Vol des Anges - made with Roussanne but reminiscent of Sauternes. Yum.