Simon Field | Embossed gold, an heraldic hue; almost luminous; the nose speaks of that which cannot easily be described; umami maybe. There is dried straw, tobacco, and exotic fruit from very late in the season... Oak challenges the palate at every turn, its danse macabre with the ever- present acidity far from satisfactorily resolved, its intensity somewhat challenging at such an early age, the mid-palate hard to love for now. Yet one is aware of a latent qualitative imperative, a fire down below. One to revisit—several times, in all probability. | 90

Andrew Jefford | Darkly colored, as Guiraud so often is; the allure of solid gold bars dissolved into rich and mellow wine: authentic alchemy. Lush, nutty, apricotty, rich, and deliquescent: the ultimate high-summer sensual bath. Super-indulgent and super-gratifying. There is a mentholated quality to the succulent, lush fruits: copious linden blossoms and moist, fresh-cut hay scattered over the honey, fig, and pineapple. This is doing way more than it needed to do... Steamroller-like weight of sweetness, but also a quiverful of apricot-acid arrows for balance, and lots of nutty, herbal flavor complexities, too. All it lacks is harmony. This is a completely, extraordinary wine and a monumental achievement, and it may be that in a few years it does achieve a harmony and roundness, but for the time being all is tension between these two shatteringly contrasted magnetic poles. An essential reference for Sauternes in this vintage (since this tension is actually rather rare this year), and no Sauternes lover should omit to take a look at this amazing wine. I’m not sure where it is going, but boy, it’s going there in style. | 95