2005 Chateau Guiraud 'G' Dry White

This is the dry white wine of the First Growth Sauternes Chateau Guiraud. Made from a blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc & 30% Semillon. The wine is barrel matured for 6-9 months with regular stiring of the lees. This is a superb example of the blend, and due to the exceptional vintage conditions, the wine has more depth of flavour than evidenced from wines produced from cooler vintages. Bright straw colour with faint green tinge and water like hue. The nose is more assertive than the dry white from neighbouring Chateau Suduiraut. Aroma of confectionary and spice followed by a hint of ripe passionfruit. Mouthfilling palate with creamy texture – Touches of gooseberry appear which are overlaid with confectionary and citrus. Clean finish. An impressive Graves style.
Cellar 3-4 years (2009-2010)
Alc/Vol: 13.5%

Other Reviews...

It is not going out on a limb to say this is one of the best buys in the 2005 Bordeaux vintage.

Made in the style of the 2001 (you can check Parker scores for Guiraud’s 2001 fruit quality if you need to), this is dry Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon at its most intense – from a vintage that was so good in this area it almost seems like fake wine (it’s completely natural).  Oily to an extreme with amazing acids and a vivacious tangerine dream streak that runs the length of its more than worthy spine - this is serious wine with a feminine side that keeps it from being Sauternes in a dry wine’s clothing. Refreshing, intense and penetrating flavors wrap the inside of your palate but they are not heavy or out of place due to lovely natural acidity.  Once again, this is another 2005 example where the estate fruit was almost too good (the 2005 Ch. Guiraud Sauternes is a WS95-100) so there was little, if any, to “sacrifice” for a Bordeaux Blanc.  In the end, they made a dry wine with fruit quality that could have gone into the Sauternes and it is obvious.  The fruit quality of this wine is so strong it will undoubtedly keep and evolve for several years.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Jon Rimmerman - Garagiste (Seattle, Washington)