By Chateau Guiraud
2004 Sauternes 1er Cru Classe

Production
It comes from our 85 ha in the Sauternes appellation. The yield is around 10 hl/ha.

Grapes
Semillon (65%) and Sauvignon Blanc (35%). The density of plantation is 6,660 vines per ha. The average age of first wine vines is about 35 years old.

Soils
The vines are cultivated on very diverse soils and subsoils. The soils are 80% sandy gravel, with clay gravel for the remainder. The sub-soils are extremely diverse, with profound translucent sands, pure gravel crossed with red clay and limestone marls, fossilized oyster beds, and red and white clay.

The Harvest
Uniquely hand-picked by successive selections through the vines, only botrytized grapes were selected. A minimum potential of 20% alcohol is required to start the harvest.

Fermenting
In barrels for three weeks to two months. Different batches are fermented until they reach their equilibrium, depending on their selection. Chaptalization, cryoextraction, and all other techniques used to enrich the wine are forbidden.

Aging
In barrels, from 18 to 24 months, depending upon the vintage.

Cultural Process
Conservation grade style agriculture, without chemical treatments and no anti-botrytis treatment.

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The wine is beautiful, vibrant, deep gold, developing fresh flower aromas, pear, crystallized lime, and vanilla. Impeccably roasted with a beautiful balance. This wine will certainly be a good affair in the future.
[Information provided by Beyerman Wines]

Chateau Guiraud 2004 Sauternes
From: Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
Rating: 94 - Cellar Selection
Winery: Chateau Guiraud
Region: Bordeaux
Variety: White Blend
Wine Type: Dessert
Issue Date: 2/1/2009
For a 2004, this is big and rich, but that is to be expected from Guiraud. The fruit is magnificently ripe, with flavors of peach and tangerine syrup along with the core of botrytis and dark honey. The aftertaste is exotically spicy.
Reviewed By: Roger Voss

Chateau Guiraud Sauternes 2004
Score: 92
Wine Type and Color: White Dessert
Magazine Issue: August 31, 2007
Region: France / Bordeaux / Sauternes
Spicy, with dried apricot and lemon character. Full, yet tight and long. Medium sweet, with a spicy finish. An impressive racy style. [...]

2004 Guiraud
Rating: 90
Producer: Guiraud
Wine Region: France, Bordeaux, Sauternes
Color / Type / Sweetness: White / Sweet / Dry
Reviewed By: Neal Martin
Drink Date: 2014 - 2025
This bottle of 2004 Guiraud is not quite as good as the one served at the vertical last year. Comparing it to the likes of de Fargues, the bouquet does not possess the same clinical delineation. The palate is light and fresh on the entry but this bottle has a sour lemon note that slightly detracts from its overall focus. Still, there is fine minerality towards the finish and it serves as a fine Sauternes for the vintage, even if I think Xavier Planty has produced superior wines in recent years. Drink now-2025. Tasted February 2014.
Published: Apr 29, 2014

2004 Guiraud
Producer: Guiraud
Place of Origin: France, Sauternes, Bordeaux
Color: Sweet White
Rating: 88
From: 2004 and 2003 Sauternes and Barsacs (Jul 2006)
Pale gold. Fresh pineapple and spicy oak on the pungent, rather high-pitched nose. Then juicy and leanish, with penetrating flavors of pineapple and lemon. Not fleshy or particularly deep but focused and pure. Finishes fairly dry, with good length.
By: Stephen Tanzer on July 2006

Ch Guiraud 2004 Sauternes
Producer: Ch Guiraud
Appellation: Sauternes
Region: Bordeaux
Country: France
Colour: White
Score: 16.5/20
Published On: 5 Mar 2014
Date Tasted: 25 Feb 2014
Reviewer: Jancis Robinson
Big and beefy and round. Clean finish. Proper.