Taste The Difference Sauternes, 2005 - Sainsbury's

This Sainsbury's Taste The Difference Sauternes is made by Chateau Guiraud and dates from the warm year of 2005, considered a great one for Bordeaux generally, and which perhaps accounts for the 13% alcohol.

A blend of Semillon and Sauvignon, on the nose, it smells of peach and marmalade with some botrytis and a hint of nail polish initially; with air this fades and something more floral emerges.

On the palate there is more apricot and white peach with honeysuckle / honeycomb, balanced with a refreshing, pineapple acidity.

The texture is creamy, full and oily, and typically for Sauternes, the sweetness is not excessive or overly intense - rather, with a little air, the depth of flavour increases giving a lovely sweet-sour finish.

It's quite a weighty wine and feels made for summer puddings - my perfect match would be a tarte au citron, or maybe a crème brûlée.

To me this is a lovely "classic" wine, in that it impresses with its balance, finesse and depth of flavour, rather than wowing with a variety of primary flavours.

£12.99 (37.5cl) from Sainsbury's, provided for review.

Links

Sainsbury's - http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/