$100 and over
Chateau Guiraud 1er cru classe
Château Guiraud is a large Sauternes property that is the only 1er Cru Classé, with the exception of its illustrious neighbour Château d`Yquem, that is located within the commune of Sauternes itself. Guiraud's 85 hectares of vineyards are located on one of the hills above the village of Sauternes. They are planted with 65% Sémillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes are harvested in "tries" and the juice is then fermented in oak barrels. The wine is then aged in oak casks (50% new) for 2 years. Guiraud is a very ambitious property with aspirations to produce a wine that will one day rival d`Yquem. The wines are astonishingly rich, especially in light of the high proportion of Sauvignon Blanc in the blend, and are undoubtedly amongst the finest wines being produced in Sauternes today.
Chateau Climens 1er cru classe
After Yquem, Château Climens is regarded as the region's second best wine. Where Chateau d'Yquem is known for concentration and lusciousness, Climens strive for elegance, purity and freshness. For those looking to discover the best of Sauternes, this wine is a must.
Chateau Rieussec 1er cru classe
Since 1984 Château Rieussec has been the Sauternes property of the Rothschild family, owners of Chateau Lafite. Rieussec, a neighbour of Chateau dYquem, had for generations been a leading producer and was ranked Premier Cru in 1855. Even so, under Rothschild ownership the property has been transformed, with new cellars and winery and far more rigorous grape selection (plus greater use of barrel fermentation and maturation) for the flagship Grand Vin. This has led to Rieussecs clear emergence as a rival to its famous neighbour. Chateau Rieussec is 90% Semillon, with minor contributions from Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. The property is 110ha with 68ha under vine.
Chateau d'Yquem 1er cru superieur
Incredibly opulent and rich, Château d'Yquem is widely considered the greatest sweet wine in the world. Currently owned by LVMH, this prestigious Sauternes estate is at the very top of the appellations classification, designated 1er Cru Classé Supérieur. Château dYquems 110 ha of vineyards are planted to 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. The Grand Vin is produced from only fully botrytised fruit, carefully hand-harvested over successive passes by a team of highly skilled pickers. Yields are tiny, with each vine producing just one glass of wine. Fermentation takes place in 100% new oak barriques followed by up to 36 months maturation in oak. A wine of exceptional intensity and complexity, the best vintages of Château d'Yquem are capable of aging gracefully for well over 50 years.
Chateau Doisy-Daene 2me cru classe
Chateau Doisy Daëne is a deuxième Cru Classé estate of Sauternes located in the Barsac appellation of Bordeaux. Managed by renowned white wine specialist Denis Dubourdieu, the estates sweet Sauternes wine is a fresh lively style with crystalline fruit purity underpinned racy acidity. A fully botrytised blend of Semillon with a minor component of Sauvignon Blanc, the grapes are picked over successive tries and gentle pressed, before undergoing vinification and maturation in one third new French oak barriques for 10 months.
Chateau La Tour-Blanche 1er cru classe
Joh jos prum Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling-Auslese
CHATEAU DE RAYNE-VIGNEAU 1er cru classe
Rayne Vigneaus vineyard overlooks Sauternes near the village of Bommes and forms the third highest point in the area after Yquem. Founded by Gabriel de Vigneau in the early 17th century. Madame de Rayne, née Catherine de Pontac, bought the Domaine du Vigneau in 1834. Under her ownership, the estate reached the envied rank of premier Grand Cru Classé of Sauternes in the famous 1855 classification. Today, Château de Rayne Vigneau is a true benchmark for the Sauternes appellation. Its intensely fresh style,stands out vintage after vintage.
Chambers Grand Muscadelle Non-Vintage
Deep walnut-gold, with slight copper and dark olive hues. Wonderfully intense and complex bouquet with rich layers of wood-age characters and faint hints of fruit. Characters of coffee, dark chocolate, walnut, black tea leaf, cardamom, nutmeg, raisins, dried orange rind, dried paw-paw, dried pears, orange peel, and treacle. This is a decadent wine with generous and intense layers of flavour and a luscious textural palate with a fresh, sweet finish. Founded in 1858 by William Chambers and situated just one kilometre west of Rutherglen, on the Corowa road. The original vineyards which were replanted after phylloxera attacked the area in the late 1890's now have some irrigation, and produce low tonnages with wonderful concentrated flavour. Rosewood's fifth generation winemaker Bill Chambers OAM, handed over to son Stephen in 2001. The proud tradition of winemaking continues from the rich old fortified wines made in the early 1900s by great grandfather Will Chambers who started off the wonderful Tokay and Muscat blends which today are renowned throughout the world. The Rare Muscat and Rare Tokay consistently receive perfect, 100 out of 100 scores from the influential wine writer Robert Parker Junior of the Wine Spectator who refers to Bill as the "Master of the Fortified wine business of Australia".