Simon Field | Subtle limonite color, then a nose that is dominated by dried fruit, straw even, its exotic tenor tempered by a smoky subtext. The palate is potent, long, and resourceful, notes of guava, barely sugar, and almond held in check by a somewhat recalcitrant structure that will, in the fullness of time, flatter us through its generous core. | 90

Andrew Jefford | Bright, full gold in color. All of the classic lemony freshness of Barsac to smell: a tarte au citron, just pulled from the oven. Honeyed and creamy, too: fine aromatic intricacy here. Something gingery as well, and a planty, sappy presence: pure, refined, commanding. A truly super Barsac nose. Wow: Rich for Barsac! Super-rich: huge concentration, depth, and drive, and a lovely saturating salty glutting quality on the tongue, even though Barsac never carries the sumo-like weight of the biggest Sauternes. There is (as on the aroma) a planty or sappy presence in addition to the candied fruits on the palate, which is very gratifying. Lots of lemon freshness, and by the way the lemon is perfumed as well as flavory; lemon verbena, too, and even lemon grass isn’t out of the question. And gorgeous crystallized ginger, too. Very aromatically complex on the palate, in other words. An utterly commanding and hugely impressive Barsac 2017 of character, perfume, and singularity. | 95