Chateau Bastor-Lamontagne, Sauternes 2001 This wine displays lots of tropical fruit in the nose, a sense of bananas and pineapple mixed with the mineral edge of appropriate volatility, though too much for some of the class. In the mouth, there is caramel, warmth and citrus fruits. This Sauternes is of a more moderate richness level, [...]

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deLorimier, Alexander Valley, Estate Bottled, Late Harvest, Lace 2004 The nose combines bananas, caramel and minerality. The mouth is viscous without being cloying showcasing the tropical fruit in a rich way, as if dazzled with honey. The botrytised grapes behind the ‘04 are 56% Semillon, 24% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Muscat, 169 g/l RS. GP&B [...]

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Chateau La Tour Blanche, Sauternes, 1er Cru 2003 The nose is marked by honey and minerality and appropriate VA. The pungency of the cleanser-like VA will certainly be too much for some as it does interfere with the fruit in the nose. That said, this is a tolerated style point in these types of wines. [...]

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Chateau Lagupeau, Graves 2007 The nose is a mix of bay leaves, fruit and chemical notes. In the mouth the wine is hard and lean with lots of acid. There’s a sense that this wine is aging prematurely and I’d be hesitant to purchase another bottle. This is one of the second wines from Chateau [...]

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Chateau Guiraud, Bordeaux Blanc Sec, Le G de Chateau Guiraud 2006
This vintage is pretty hard to love in that the smell is all minerality and solvent notes. There’s viscosity and acidity but flavor? Sourced from vines with an average age of 15 years, planted 70% Sauvignon and the rest Semillon. The wine was barrel fermented [...]

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When Vacu-Dry ceased operations in Sebastopol, California, many bemoaned the continuing decline of the apple industry in Sonoma’s West County region. Yet from those ashes many a high-flying phoenix has taken flight.
The large and rather dingy industrial complex that used to house Vacu-Dry has been turned into a rabbit warren of artisan winemakers, each with [...]

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Chateau Doisy Daene Sauternes 2003
There’s lots of creme caramel and toastiness in this wine and a little lower on the RS scale than other Sauternes. The vineyard is planted to 87% Semillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Muscadelle. The final blend is about 80% Semillon and is aged in new oak. Mis en bouteille au [...]

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Chateau Raymond-Lafon Sauternes 2003
Amazing balance for such a lusciously sweet wine with creme caramel flavors. Going back to the 2002, my notes again emphasize the complexity, concentration and appropriate VA levels. A class favorite, very rich and thick, very long, like drinking creme caramel, that is, if you could. Planted 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon. [...]

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Dolce Napa Valley Late Harvest Wine 2003
This is the classic California Sauternes competitor, in flavor and in price. There’s a blend of pineapple and caramel with honey and minerality on a viscous palate where the flavor goes on and on. The grapes are sourced from the Dolce Vineyard in Coombsville at the base of the [...]

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Chateau Gravas Sauternes 2004
This wine hasn’t been a show stopper but it isn’t bad. I mean this in the best way possible. Sauternes from the heavyweight producers has become prohibitively expensive for many. The Gravas offers a glimpse of what Sauternes tastes like, albeit in a light-bodied, thinner expression. 90% Semillon and 10% Sauvignon Blanc [...]

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Pepper Tree Hunter Valley Semillon 2005
This baby is screaming with acidity - very green and right on target. Put it to bed for the long haul and enjoy it when it matures. 100% Semillon fermented in stainless. Winemaker Chris Cameron. Produced in Pokolbin 11.5% $15.99 at Traverso’s  Pepper Tree

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Chateau Guiraud Bordeaux Vin Blanc Sec 2005
The last bottle tasted in early 2007 was very fresh, combining high acid with depth of flavor. This bottle was on target again, with roundness to complement the acidity. Sourced from vines with an average age of 15 years, with up to 70% Sauvignon in the final blend and [...]

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The previous tasting in the California and Europe class in San Francisco pitted Baumard against Oremus. Tonight’s flight brings in a different top-flight producer, this time from Sauternes. Both the Raymond-Lafon and the Oremus will be tasted side-by-side. In both cases the Oremus proved the favorite.
Chateau Raymond-Lafon Sauternes 2002
My notes from the [...]

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This flight features 3 whites and offers an opportunity to contrast acid levels, weight and residual sugar.
Chateau Sainte-Marie Entre-Deux-Mers Vielles Vignes 2005
Of the 2004 I noted a perfect balance of the grapes used and a great value. This 2005 bottle was losing its vibrancy and becoming alcoholic. Perhaps the stelvin was not forming a complete [...]

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Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes 1er Cru 2003
The wine makes me crave a lemon tart as you taste a reflection of the butter in the crust in the viscosity and butter/caramel tones in the wine and a reflection of the zippy lemon in the custard in the springy citrus character of the wine. This is one of [...]

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