Bordeaux 2012 – sweet whites

This is the last of 11 tasting articles devoted to Bordeaux 2012 and including more than 500 tasting notes. See The Guide to our extensive coverage of this very varied vintage – JR.

Much has been written about the difficulties in Sauternes this year, highlighted by the fact that a few châteaux, including Yquem, Suduiraut and Rieussec, have not made a 2012 grand vin. However, these producers are all clustered in one area, mostly in the centre and west of Sauternes (though two other 2012 absentees, Ch d'Arche and Ch de Fargues, are further west and east respectively) and almost...