Every year I sift through my Sauternes collection and taste several wines from there. This gives me a feel with how the vintage is holding so I can be sure to have a good idea of when to open the rest of the wines. 2009 was a very warm vintage in Sauternes as it was through the rest of Bordeaux. This year produced opulent, fleshy wines that are more concentrated than those from 2006, 2008 or 2010. What I loved about 2009 was how the wines were showing right after release. They were seriously impressive with massive weight and depth. A warm and dry year doesn’t always yield this concentration in Sauternes.
For those who enjoy the flashy style of Sauternes, these ‘09s are right up your alley. These might not show the nuance of 2005 but they are all drinking marvelously right now as all are at peak when you consider the weight and their current levels of finesse. If you have any 2009 Sauternes in your cellar, do not be afraid to drink these wines, as their acidity is slowly starting to drop. The fifteen year mark will be right at their sweet spot. Learn more about these famed houses at https://www.sauternes-barsac.com/en/ and here are my reviews of the 2009 Sauternes wines.
2009 Chateau Coutet- The 2009 Chateau Coutet is a vibrant showing from this warm vintage. Ripe hazelnut and butterscotch notes combine with shades of triple creme cheese and vanilla creme brûlée. The palate shows beautiful viscosity and freshness with serious texture. Rich buttercream and marzipan notes combine with Ile flottant, and lime zest with stony accents mingle well on this complex palate. In perfect balance now, no reason to cellar this beautiful, downright sexy Sauternes this is best savored over the next few years to come. Drink 2023-2029- 95
2009 Chateau La Tour Blanche- The outstanding 2009 Chateau La Tour Blanche is a stunning, viscous example of the 2009 vintage. The wine shows honeycomb and quince notes on the nose alongside shades of ripe mango. The palate is plush and soft with a smooth mouthfeel and beautiful underlying freshness. Finishing very long with stony minerals, buttercream and shades of pineapple upside-down cake, this is an opulent, fantastic example of this warm vintage. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2029- 95
2009 Chateau Guiraud- The 2009 Chateau Guiraud is a stunning showing that is immediately vibrant and bright, showing its honey-colored hue in the glass. Sinfully good aromas await, dizzying with honeysuckle and hint of butterscotch and toffee alongside ripe banana and cloves. The palate is rich and viscous with a seamless texture and displaying dazzling length. With a good underlying freshness, this is really peaking like the other 2009s right now. With its deep core of candied melon and tropical fruits, with creme brullee accents, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next six plus years. Drink 2023-2029- 95
2009 Chateau Rieussec- The 2009 Rieussec is really showing its stuff and has a tad bit more power than the rest. The viscosity mid-palate is opulent and really gratifying, offering an unctuous texture. Layers of golden honey and pineapple cream combine with cardamom dusted pie crust and caramel laced apple pie flavors. Showing good intensity, this beauty is absolutely singing now at the fourteen year mark. Enjoy now and over the next seven plus years to come. Drink 2023-2031- 96