Château Guiraud 2023 en Primeur

You really see the class and botrytis character here with clarity and focus. Notes of spice, mushroom powder, subtle apricot and honey. It’s medium-bodied, fresh and bright with nice sweetness at the end. A modern and precise Sauternes.

The 2023 Guiraud, now made by former Yquem winemaker Sandrine Garbay, has a rather reticent nose at first, opening with orange pith and pear aromas. It just needs a bit more intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with a tangy opening. It’s a little spicier than its peers—marmalade and stem ginger, with more peachiness toward the finish. It feels harmonious and poised, but I would wait until the aromatics open, so give it four to five years after bottling.

Exotic tropical fruits, honeyed orange, spice, and minty, floral notes shine in the 2023 Château Guiraud, another ripe, powerful, full-bodied Sauternes in the vintage. As with just about everything in this vintage, it brings serious sweetness and depth and a fleshy, soft, opulent style that has just enough acidity to hold it together.