Sauternes - 2004

Sauternes has enjoyed the best decade of vintages most growers can remember. These marvellous sweet wines may be enjoyed young in the first five years or kept for 15 years or more. The most outstanding recent year is 2001, but very good wines were made in 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2003. 2004 and 2002 were fair. 2000 was more modest.

Much more demanding for growers than 2001 and 2003. Uneven but châteaux who were selective made a small crop of fine, classic Sauternes. Rieussec made less than half its 2001 quantity for example, but quality is good.