2009 Doisys, Guiraud, Suduiraut

04/05/10

Like track cycling sprinters, the major red wine producers of Bordeaux are waiting to let someone else make the first move. In the meantime, some of the stars of Barsac and Sauternes have emerged to grab the limelight, including a pair of excellent Doisys, the resurgent Guiraud, and the highly rated Suduiraut.

'Denis Dubourdieu has provided one of the genuine stars of the vintage with the Chateau Doisy-Daene, two, if you count his Extravagance. This has a very fragrant nose with apple blossom, lime leaf and a touch of honey. Very fresh and lifted... spring-like. The palate is very well balanced, not a powerful Sauternes but ethereally poised and focused, skipping blithely to an animated pear, honeysuckle and apricot finish. Very pretty, very complete and very outstanding. 96-98 points.' - Neal Martin, erobertparker.com/winejournal

Guiraud is the closest property, geographically, to Yquem. 'My best rating ever given to this wine during futures campaigns. Showing a pale yellow color, the 2009 Guiraud offers a very fine nose, both subtle, aromatic and of botrytis. It smells of the expression of the semillon varietal on graves soils. It performs very fresh with great precision on the palate, melting, full of taste and with a concentration that is not heavy. This wine is deep, rich and subtle at the same time, finishing long and very, very tasty, with a wonderful balance. This is a great wine which 35% of sauvignon will maintain fresh and distinguished, with no heaviness throughout the years. 96 points.' - Jean-Marc Quarin, quarin.com

Suduiraut: 'One of the outstanding successes of the 2009 vintage, this may surpass the superlative 2007. It has a more understated nose at the moment, but is very well defined with honey, white peach, orange peel and crushed stones. The palate has a viscous entry, is very well balanced, very powerful with great depth and effervescent minerality. Layers of botrytis layer across the mellifluous finish that is beautifully defined and sensuous. Fabulous. 97-99 points.' - Neal Martin, erobertparker.com/winejournal

View all 2009 Bordeaux en primeur