85% Semillon and 15% Sauvignon Blanc from Sauternes, France.
SRP of $25 for a 375ml bottle and available for as low as $23. Sample received courtesy Pasternak Wine Imports for review purposes.
From the winemaker:
"Golden color with hints of light amber. The nose offers superb freshness with exotic fruit; in the mouth there is a well-structured sweetness that is not excessive and finishes with slightly candied citrus flavors.
13.5% Alcohol"
Today's wine comes from the Sauternes region of Bordeaux, an area known for noble rot. What exactly is noble rot, you may ask? It is a benevolent fungus (called Botrytis cinerea) that causes grapes to become partially raisined on the vine, which results in very concentrated and sweet flavors. It occurs when very moist conditions are followed by dry conditions, which is common to this area, but does not necessarily happen every year. When it doesn't happen the wineries in Sauternes produce dry white wines with their grapes, but when it does, they are able to produce some really delicious sweet wines.
The 2009 Château de Cosse Sauternes from Château Rieussec (Barons de Rothschild) begins with restrained aromas of papaya and pineapple plus some old wood. The wine tastes sweet with flavors of papaya and other tropical fruit, raisins, honey, lemon and a bit of a nutty flavor. The wine ends with more sweet papaya and a lasting zesty finish. It'll leave you licking your lips to get one last little bit of sweetness.
See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.
