2005 Chateau Fayau Cadillac (375ml)

The 2005 vintage in Sauternes has been declared one of the all time greats with parallels being drawn to the extraordinary 2001 and 2003 vintages. Robert Parker believes, “On the 2005 Sauternes my instincts suggest that the 2005’s are not far off the mark of the monumental 2001’s.” While Jancis Robinson writes, “There are some wonderful, wonderful wines here – set to rival the best of the 2001’s. The extraordinary feature for the sweet white Bordeaux is that yields were not as pitifully low as usual. The sheer sweetness may be less than the 2003 but the acid levels are much better and overall they are much better balanced.” Sauternes enthusiasts have long known that across the other side of the river from Sauternes they can procure what is arguably the greatest value wine in sweet white Bordeaux, which in exceptional years produces a wine equal to Sauternes which may sell at two or three times its price. This bizarre anomaly is the Chateau Fayau Cadillac. Although the wine cannot be labelled Sauternes as such, (nor command Sauternes prices) it is essentially identical in every way. The vineyard is hand picked over a number of weeks with pickers only selecting fully botrytised grapes.

This is a superb, incredibly affordable sticky.

Tasting note: Bright golden colour with pale gold hue. Lifted nose, showing excellent botrytis character of honey, apricot and spice, with impressive intensity. This is from one of the very best vintages in Bordeaux and is reflected by the palate which offers the weight, texture and mouthfeel of a ‘Sauternes’. Luscious texture. Flavours of honey, honeycomb and apricot followed by a hint of toffee and spice. Mouthfilling – rich clean finish. Very long aftertaste of honey, honeycomb and apricot.
Cellar 5-8 years (2012-2015)
Alc/Vol: 13.5%