Sauternes and Barsac 2003

This set of notes, based on a blind tasting of most of the classed growths of Sauternes supplemented by second tastings of several of them and tastings of other examples, is one of the most consistent I have published on Bordeaux's 2003s.

This was one of the easiest, earliest harvests ever in Bordeaux's sweet white wine region with very ripe grapes and some development of botrytis thanks to showers in September. I found this group of wines one of the most impressive I had the pleasure of tasting in early April 2004. The wines will be extremely sweet and may...