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Château de Cosse (Château Rieussec) Sauternes 2015

Château de Cosse (Château Rieussec) Sauternes 2015

The color of dried goldenrod, Château du Cosse is a blend of 91% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon, and 4% Muscadelle. This superb second label of Château Rieussec offers up sumptuously honeyed aromatics followed by apricot, yellow peach, well-ripened mango, and a pinch of nutmeg. Full-bodied and nicely balanced, in the mouth fleshy fruit and densely-packed flavors […]

Château Suduiraut Castelnau de Suduiraut Sauternes 2006

Château Suduiraut Castelnau de Suduiraut Sauternes 2006

The 2006 Castelnau de Suduiraut, as with all wines from Suduiraut, possesses a center of gravity. One feels that one is swimming in this wine—in opulent layers of apricot preserves, yellow cling peaches, marmalade, rich spice, dulce de leche flan, and forest honey. It’s dark amber in the glass, viscous and voluptuous. Go ahead, treat […]

Château Lapinesse Sauternes 2016

Château Lapinesse Sauternes 2016

Crafted from 100% organically-grown Semillon, the 2016 Château Lapinesse Sauternes is lightly botrytized, with more pure fruit character shining through. Aromas of white peach, apricot and orange zest are followed by more subtle notes of florality, almond, and spice. It’s round on entry and silky—the apricot flavors pick up at the back palate, becoming a […]

Château Filhot Sauternes Grand Cru Classé 2015

Château Filhot Sauternes Grand Cru Classé 2015

A stunning second growth, Château Filhot Grand Cru Classé 2015 glints goldenrod in the glass. Still young and primary in expression it’s brimming with penetrating aromas of apricot, candied pineapple, orange Creamsicle, and savory herbs. Fresh and vivid, yet luscious and opulent, too. As with all well-crafted Sauternes, acidity provides lift and weightlessness amidst depth of […]

Château Suduiraut 1982

Château Suduiraut

A contribution from my Cascadia Fine Wines colleague Jack Madrid at a recent dinner with Force Majeure Vineyards‘ winemaker and his wife—this luscious amber-hued bottle of 1982 Château Suduiraut proved to be the perfect end to an evening of lively conversation. It opens with penetrating aromas of orange marmalade, apricot, orange spice market tea, flan, forest honey, and […]

Château Rieussec Sauternes 2010

Château Rieussec Sauternes 2010

I couldn’t resist pulling one of my remaining bottles of 2010 Château Rieussec from the cellar. Burnished gold in the glass, it’s exactly as I remember the last bottle I sampled in 2014—a sumptuous mélange of dried apricots, mango, creme brûlée, cloves, acacia honey and a heady whiff of smoke and dried mint. Round, glycerol-laden […]

Château Suduiraut Castelnau de Suduiraut Sauternes 2010

Château Suduiraut Castelnau de Suduiraut Sauternes 2010

A decadent elixir, Castelnau de Suduiraut is the second label of Château Suduiraut—in an excellent vintage like 2010, it offers fabulous QPR—and is exactly the sort of wine I’m inclined to haul out of my cellar during the holidays. Lavishly layered aromas of dried apricot, quince, dried orange peel, sultana, and crème brûlée rise from […]

Crème Brûlée with Sauternes

Crème Brûlée

This is my go-to recipe from the Culinary Institute of America. It’s fool-proof as recipes go, and there is little motivation on my part to change it. Of course, there are infinite variations on this theme. Try infusing the cream with lavender or cardamom seeds, for example. Or substitute honey for sugar. Add subtle lift […]

Château d’Yquem 1998

Château d'Yquem 1998

What can be said about d’Yquem can only be expressed in poetry, even in a modest vintage like 1998. It is an inner sanctum, a fragrant garden, a poignant release that is both profound and glorious. Descriptors cannot do it justice, sensual and honey-drenched layers of apricots, vanilla bean, creme brûlée and almond pastry. Viscous […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com