Château Guiraud Sauternes 2017 - 1er Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

The château is owned by four partners: Robert Peugeot, Xavier Planty (who manages the estate), Stephan von Neipperg and Olivier Bernard. Certified organic since 2011, and boasting an absolutely unique conservatory of Aquitaine white grape varieties (175 strains of Sauvignon and Semillon), Guiraud leads the way in respectful agriculture in the Sauternes region. Perfectly botrytized grapes are harvested with precision, to produce two types of sweet wine. The grand vin, with its finesse and rapid evolution in bottle, and the petit-guiraud, less voluntarily rich but capable of shining as an aperitif, as can be seen in the very elegant restaurant-brasserie that the estate has just opened. The dry Bordeaux G is less appealing, clean but too simple for its terroir.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the domain :

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the domain :

This Sauternes premier cru classé is now owned by four co-owners: Robert Peugeot, Olivier Bernard (Domaine de Chevalier), Stephan Von Neipperg (Château Canon-la-Gaffelière) and Xavier Planty. Under the skilful direction of Xavier Planty, the vineyard has for many vintages offered a perfect example of a modern, roasted Sauternes, very open in its early years, and which has gained enormously in finesse and minerality. Guiraud was the first of the premier crus classés de 1855 to be awarded organic certification, in 2011. The estate takes great care to respect the natural development of noble rot. The winemaking process, meanwhile, refuses the slightest chaptalization, as should be the case for all crus classés - a cause for which Xavier Planty campaigns. On terroirs not classified as Sauternes, the Château also produces a large volume of a dry white wine in the Bordeaux appellation, to be drunk young.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

Barrel sample. Ripe, botrytized fruit dominates this richly concentrated wine. A full-bodied, syrupy wine that will age for many years. Drink from 2025.

Vinous A. Galloni

About the wine:

Guiraud 2017 is bursting with pineapple, passion fruit, spice and vanillin. Rich, structured and racy, it displays tremendous character and personality. Readers should expect a bold, outgoing Sauternes. I loved it. 2022 - 2042

James Suckling

About the wine:

Very fruity and layered, with botrytis spice and dried apricot and pear flavors. Full-bodied. Very sweet with a hint of acidity. There's an almost bittersweet nuance to this wine. Made from organically grown grapes. Drink from 2021.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Complex, refreshing bouquet of mirabelle plums, pineapple and green apples. The nose also reveals notes of caramel and nougat. On the palate, there's breed, tension and freshness, but also fatness and density. The persistent finish is ideally supported by the structure. What strength of character and what pleasing prospects. Guiraud 2017 is one of Sauternes' greatest success stories of 2017. 2027-2057

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is fruity, elegant and offers a fine freshness, a fine juiciness and a little greediness. Notes of candied lemon, candied pear and, more lightly, white peach are combined with discreet hints of lychee/exotic fruit, spices and verbena. Fruity and well-balanced on the palate, with fine acidity, good juiciness, good definition, fatness, roundness, airiness, depth and creaminess. On the palate, notes of candied lemon, dried apricot, candied mandarin and, more lightly, crystallized citrus, pear/nectarine, combined with fine touches of fresh ginger, verbena, juicy fruit and a subtle hint of nuts (in the background). Good length. The finish is a little tight. Good acidic persistence. Slightly chewy aftertaste.