Sauternes

Sauternes appellation wines in Bordeaux: buy at the best price

The Sauternes and Barsac appellations are 2 neighboring appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) areas located on the left bank of the Garonne, 40 km south-east of Bordeaux. The 5 communes whose territory makes up these 2 appellations are: Barsac, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac and Sauternes. The Sauternes Barsac AOC covers approximately 1,620 ha for Sauternes wines and 625 ha for Barsac wines (which may also mention the Sauternes AOC on the bottle). These appellations benefit from a historic classification of their crus, established — like that of the Médoc — in 1855, comprising 26 classified crus: 1 Premier Cru Supérieur (Château d'Yquem), 11 Premiers Crus (including 2 in Barsac), and 14 Seconds Crus (including 8 in Barsac). This classification distinguishes in particular the most prestigious châteaux such as: Château d'Yquem, Climens, Coutet, Doisy Daene, Guiraud, Rieussec, Suduiraut, La Tour Blanche…

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De Luze 1947
2 in stock
104257
White
75cl
Slightly damaged
High shoulder
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

De Luze 1947

€462.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€385.00 ex-VAT
Yquem 1941 -10% DISCOUNT !
-10%
Last one !
1 in stock
96311
White
75cl
Without label
High shoulder
Vintage on cap and cork
91/100
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Yquem 1941 -10% DISCOUNT !

€1,080.00 inc-VAT per bottle €1,200.00 inc-VAT -10%
€900.00 ex-VAT
Guiraud 1943
Last one !
1 in stock
110085
White
75cl
Slightly damaged
High shoulder
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Guiraud 1943

€468.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€390.00 ex-VAT
Lafaurie Peyraguey 1940
Last one !
1 in stock
110175
White
75cl
Mid-shoulder
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Lafaurie Peyraguey 1940

€420.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€350.00 ex-VAT
Haut Bergeron 1980
29 in stock
111786
White
75cl
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Haut Bergeron 1980

€48.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€40.00 ex-VAT
Raymond Lafon 2015 -10% DISCOUNT !
-10%
1 in stock
112341
White
75cl
Damaged
92-94/100
94/100
17.5/20
17/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Raymond Lafon 2015 -10% DISCOUNT !

€32.40 inc-VAT per bottle €36.00 inc-VAT -10%
€27.00 ex-VAT
De Malle 2003
16 in stock
113718
White
75cl
86/100
92/100
16.5/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

De Malle 2003

€42.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€35.00 ex-VAT
Rayne Vigneau 2003
French Press Favourite
5 in stock
113805
White
75cl
91/100
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Rayne Vigneau 2003

€42.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€35.00 ex-VAT
Sigalas Rabaud 2005
2 in stock
114858
White
75cl
88/100
90/100
18/20
17/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Sigalas Rabaud 2005

€36.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€30.00 ex-VAT
Suduiraut 1957 -5% DISCOUNT !
-5%
Last one !
1 in stock
116582
White
75cl
Slightly damaged
Very high shoulder
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Suduiraut 1957 -5% DISCOUNT !

€513.00 inc-VAT per bottle €540.00 inc-VAT -5%
€427.50 ex-VAT
Gilette Crème de Tête 1947 -15% DISCOUNT !
-15%
Last one !
1 in stock
116589
White
75cl
Slightly damaged
Mid-shoulder
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Gilette Crème de Tête 1947 -15% DISCOUNT !

€561.00 inc-VAT per bottle €660.00 inc-VAT -15%
€467.50 ex-VAT
Larose Monteils 1959
2 in stock
118318
White
75cl
Slightly damaged
Top shoulder
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Larose Monteils 1959

€180.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€150.00 ex-VAT
Rayne Vigneau 1989
8 in stock
118459
White
75cl
89/100
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Rayne Vigneau 1989

€54.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€45.00 ex-VAT
Filhot 2009
Last one !
1 in stock
121256
White
75cl
94/100
90/100
16.5/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Filhot 2009

€42.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€35.00 ex-VAT
Rayne Vigneau 1995
7 in stock
122892
White
75cl
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Rayne Vigneau 1995

€42.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€35.00 ex-VAT
Rieussec 2007
Last one !
1 in stock
123591
White
75cl
92/100
15/20
18/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Rieussec 2007

€54.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€45.00 ex-VAT
Rabaud Promis 1975
3 in stock
123891
White
75cl
Very high shoulder
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Rabaud Promis 1975

€78.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€65.00 ex-VAT
Rieussec 2018
Last one !
1 in stock
124551
White
75cl
93/100
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Rieussec 2018

€48.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€40.00 ex-VAT
Filhot 1948
Last one !
1 in stock
124680
White
75cl
Slightly damaged
High shoulder
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Filhot 1948

€490.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€408.33 ex-VAT
Yquem 1983
10 in stock
126377
White
75cl
Very high shoulder
96/100
98/100
19/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Yquem 1983

€468.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€390.00 ex-VAT
Yquem 1983 37.5cl
5 in stock
126379
White
37.5cl
Very high shoulder
96/100
98/100
19/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Yquem 1983 37.5cl

€228.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€190.00 ex-VAT
Yquem 1983 37.5cl - DISCOUNT -5% !
-5%
2 in stock
126378
White
37.5cl
High shoulder
96/100
98/100
19/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Yquem 1983 37.5cl - DISCOUNT -5% !

€216.60 inc-VAT per bottle €228.00 inc-VAT -5%
€180.50 ex-VAT
Clos Haut Peyraguey 2007
7 in stock
128160
White
75cl
93/100
91/100
18.5/20
18/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Clos Haut Peyraguey 2007

€36.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€30.00 ex-VAT
Clos Haut Peyraguey 1982
2 in stock
128312
White
75cl
Slightly damaged
Top shoulder
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Clos Haut Peyraguey 1982

€60.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€50.00 ex-VAT
Coutet 2007
Last one !
1 in stock
128541
White
75cl
Very slightly damaged
94/100
95/100
18.5/20
18/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Coutet 2007

€48.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€40.00 ex-VAT
Fargues 1999
Last one !
1 in stock
128554
White
75cl
92/100
18/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Fargues 1999

€132.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€110.00 ex-VAT
Doisy Daene 2007
2 in stock
129826
White
75cl
94/100
93/100
19/100
17/100
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Doisy Daene 2007

€42.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€35.00 ex-VAT
Doisy Daene 2013
Last one !
1 in stock
129828
White
75cl
93-95/100
94/100
17.5/20
17.5/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Doisy Daene 2013

€39.60 inc-VAT per bottle
€33.00 ex-VAT
Yquem 2000
Last one !
1 in stock
130193
White
75cl
90/100
17/100
18/100
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Yquem 2000

€432.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€360.00 ex-VAT
Haut Bergeron 2010
3 in stock
130448
White
75cl
91/100
89/100
17.5/20
16.5/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Haut Bergeron 2010

€36.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€30.00 ex-VAT
Lafaurie Peyraguey 2001
Last one !
1 in stock
130472
White
75cl
92/100
95/100
18/20
18/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Lafaurie Peyraguey 2001

€60.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€50.00 ex-VAT
Primo Palatum Mythologia 2003
Last one !
1 in stock
130537
White
75cl
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Primo Palatum Mythologia 2003

€60.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€50.00 ex-VAT
Rayne Vigneau 1988 - DISCOUNT -5% !
-5%
Last one !
1 in stock
130547
White
75cl
Slightly damaged
Very high shoulder
91/100
90/100
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Rayne Vigneau 1988 - DISCOUNT -5% !

€57.00 inc-VAT per bottle €60.00 inc-VAT -5%
€47.50 ex-VAT
Doisy Daëne 1989
1 in stock
130342
White
75cl
Very slightly damaged
89/100
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Doisy Daëne 1989

€66.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€55.00 ex-VAT
Doisy Daëne 2007
2 in stock
130344
White
75cl
94/100
93/100
19/20
17/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Doisy Daëne 2007

€42.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€35.00 ex-VAT
Clos Haut Peyraguey 2001
2 in stock
130336
White
75cl
93/100
97/100
19/20
18/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Clos Haut Peyraguey 2001

€60.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€50.00 ex-VAT
Climens 2005
3 in stock
130329
White
75cl
94/100
95/100
19/20
19.5/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Climens 2005

€84.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€70.00 ex-VAT
Climens 2006
2 in stock
130330
White
75cl
94/100
94/100
19/20
17.5/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Climens 2006

€66.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€55.00 ex-VAT
Lafaurie Peyraguey 2017
2 in stock
130620
White
75cl
95/100
93/100
18.5/20
17.5/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Lafaurie Peyraguey 2017

€42.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€35.00 ex-VAT
Doisy Vedrines 2013
3 in stock
130759
White
75cl
91-93/100
94/100
16.5/20
18/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Doisy Vedrines 2013

€36.24 inc-VAT per bottle
€30.20 ex-VAT
N° 2 d'Yquem Magnum
2 in stock
130992
White
150cl
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Sauternes n°2 Magnum

€156.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€130.00 ex-VAT
Arche Pugneau 1959 - DISCOUNT -20% !
-20%
Last one !
1 in stock
131073
White
75cl
Slightly damaged
Mid-shoulder
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Arche Pugneau 1959 - DISCOUNT -20% !

€288.00 inc-VAT per bottle €360.00 inc-VAT -20%
€240.00 ex-VAT
Coutet Cuvée Madame 1989
Last one !
1 in stock
131140
White
75cl
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Barsac

Coutet Cuvée Madame 1989

€288.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€240.00 ex-VAT
Gilette 1970
Last one !
1 in stock
131191
White
75cl
88/100
17/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Gilette Crème de Tête 1970

€252.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€210.00 ex-VAT
Guiraud 1980
6 in stock
131201
White
75cl
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Guiraud 1980

€96.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€80.00 ex-VAT
Haut Bergeron 1980 - DISCOUNT -5% !
-5%
Last one !
1 in stock
131206
White
75cl
Slightly damaged
Top shoulder
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Haut Bergeron 1980 - DISCOUNT -5% !

€45.60 inc-VAT per bottle €48.00 inc-VAT -5%
€38.00 ex-VAT
Haut Bergeron 1989
3 in stock
131203
White
75cl
90/100
16/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Haut Bergeron 1989

€54.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€45.00 ex-VAT
Haut Bergeron 2005
Last one !
1 in stock
131204
White
75cl
90/100
17/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Haut Bergeron 2005

€36.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€30.00 ex-VAT
Haut Claverie 1990 - DISCOUNT -10% !
-10%
Last one !
1 in stock
131207
White
75cl
Damaged
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

Haut Claverie 1990 - DISCOUNT -10% !

€32.40 inc-VAT per bottle €36.00 inc-VAT -10%
€27.00 ex-VAT
La Tour Blanche 1975
Last one !
1 in stock
131222
White
75cl
Top shoulder
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

La Tour Blanche 1975

€90.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€75.00 ex-VAT
La Tour Blanche 1988
7 in stock
131221
White
75cl
92/100
89/100
16/20
Add to cart
Bordeaux | Sauternes

La Tour Blanche 1988

€66.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€55.00 ex-VAT

Where is the Sauternes appellation located?

The appellation lies in Gironde, on the left bank of the Garonne, about 25 miles southeast of Bordeaux, at the southern end of the Graves area. Its geographic area covers five communes: Sauternes, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac, and Barsac. The vineyards extend along both sides of the Ciron, a small river that rises in the Landes and flows into the Garonne near Barsac, playing a decisive role in the local climate. According to customs harvest declarations, the area declared as Sauternes stood at approximately 1,400 hectares in 2023, with production of around 18,500 hectoliters, though this varies greatly from one vintage to another. Producers in the commune of Barsac have a choice unique in Bordeaux: they can designate their wines as either Barsac AOC or Sauternes AOC. Nearby are the neighboring appellations of Cérons and Graves, as well as Loupiac and Sainte-Croix-du-Mont on the opposite bank of the river, which are also devoted to sweet wines.

History of the Sauternes appellation

The history of this vineyard is intertwined with the discovery of harvesting overripe grapes, a practice documented in Sauternes in the late 18th century and probably inspired by methods used in the Rhine region and Hungary. A local legend credits the discovery to an owner who returned too late to begin the harvest and was forced to pick grapes that looked rotten, yielding a wine of unprecedented richness. By the 19th century, these sweet wines already had an international reputation: Thomas Jefferson praised them, the Russian and English courts clamored for them, and the de Lur Saluces family presided over a veritable empire of white-wine vineyards. The 1855 imperial classification, drawn up for the Paris Universal Exposition, recognized 27 crus: one Premier Cru Supérieur (Château d'Yquem), 11 Premiers Crus, and 15 Deuxièmes Crus. That hierarchy has never been revised. The appellation d'origine contrôlée was recognized by the decree of September 30, 1936, which enshrined local practices in its regulations: overripening, the presence of noble rot, and harvesting in successive passes. The specifications have been updated several times since 2009, while many estates have developed single-parcel dry whites over the past 20 years to complement their ranges.

What are the terroirs of the Sauternes appellation?

The terroir of this vineyard rests on a mosaic of soils and a unique microclimate. Ridges of gravel deposited by the Garonne alternate with windblown sands, clays, and limestone outcrops. Limestone is clearly dominant on the Barsac plateau, where fossil-bearing limestone produces finer, more taut wines. In Sauternes, Bommes, Preignac, and Fargues, well-drained, heat-retaining gravel over clay or limestone yields more opulent, fuller-bodied wines. The best parcels occupy modest but crucial elevations, between 40 and 75 meters above sea level, such as the Yquem plateau, the appellation's highest point. The key factor, however, is the meeting of the Ciron, a cold river flowing through dense forest, and the more temperate Garonne. In autumn, this temperature contrast creates morning mists that dissipate in the afternoon sun: an ideal cycle for the steady development of Botrytis cinerea without the onset of gray rot. The historic sites of Peyraguey, Haut-Bommes, and Rieussec are among the most sought-after areas.

Which grape varieties are permitted in the Sauternes appellation?

The appellation's specifications permit four white grape varieties: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, and Muscadelle. Sémillon forms the backbone of the plantings, frequently accounting for 70% to 90% of the vineyard area and sometimes exceeding 95% at certain estates. Its thin skin makes it particularly susceptible to botrytis, and it brings richness, a luscious texture, notes of honey, wax, and candied yellow fruit, and an extraordinary capacity for aging. Sauvignon Blanc, generally making up 10% to 25%, provides an essential counterpoint: its acidity lends structure, while its citrus, orange blossom, and zest notes preserve the wine's vibrancy. Muscadelle, often limited to a few percent, adds a floral, musky touch to the blend. The less common Sauvignon Gris contributes body and aromatic complexity. Some crus make a single-varietal wine from pure Sémillon, while others cultivate the art of blending vintage after vintage.

What are the different styles of Sauternes wine?

The appellation is reserved for still, sweet white wines: just one official style, but one expressed in a remarkably wide range of ways. Regulations require hand-harvesting in successive passes, a minimum of 221 grams of sugar per liter of must, a natural alcohol content of at least 15%, and residual sugar of at least 45 grams per liter. In practice, the grands crus most often contain between 120 and 160 grams of residual sugar per liter, with an alcohol content of around 13.5% to 14%. Winemaking involves very gentle pressing, slow fermentation in barrels or tanks, then 12 to 24 months of aging, with the proportion of new oak adjusted according to the vintage. Barsac wines are traditionally more finely etched and saline, while those from the heart of Sauternes are richer and more powerful. As for food pairings, there is far more to explore than foie gras and Roquefort: poultry in cream sauce, sweetbreads, lobster, spicy Thai or Indian dishes, blue cheeses, yellow-fruit tarts, and desserts that are not too sweet all pair beautifully. Many estates also make dry whites, sold under the Bordeaux appellation, that offer an appealing introduction to their wines.

What are the best Sauternes vintages?

The benchmark vintages of the past 30 years are 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, along with the legendary 1988, 1989, and 1990, a trio still cited as the ultimate standard. 2001 stands out as a modern high point, thanks to rapid, even botrytis development that yielded wines both rich and perfectly balanced by acidity. 2009 combines opulence with sun-ripened fruit, while 2011 and 2007 favor finesse and aromatic precision. By contrast, 2012 was a difficult year (Château d'Yquem did not produce its fine wine), 2017 and 2021 were hit hard by spring frost, and 2024 looks uneven, with tiny yields but wines that are more taut and less sweet than usual. The recent 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages offer excellent bottles; 2022 and 2023 mark a return to exceptionally rich sweet wines, while 2025 is shaping up to be balanced and harmonious. For drinking now, turn to 1997, 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2007, which have reached maturity. For cellaring, favor 2009, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2023, which need another decade.

Which are the best estates in the Sauternes appellation?

Château d'Yquem reigns supreme as the sole Premier Cru Supérieur in the 1855 classification and a global benchmark for sweet wine. Owned by the de Lur Saluces family for more than four centuries, the estate came under the control of the LVMH group in 1999 and has been led by Pierre Lurton since 2004. Across roughly 100 hectares of gravel over clay, the estate applies exceptionally strict standards to its successive harvest passes and does not hesitate to declassify an entire vintage it considers inadequate, as it did in 2012. It also produces the dry white Y d'Yquem. Château Suduiraut, a Premier Cru Classé in Preignac neighboring Yquem, has belonged to AXA Millésimes since 1992 and ranks among the appellation's most reliable estates. Its wines combine generous sweetness, a silky texture, and zesty freshness; its range also includes the Lions de Suduiraut cuvée and the dry white S de Suduiraut. Château Rieussec, a Premier Cru Classé acquired by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) in 1984, has remarkable terroir spanning Fargues and Sauternes, just yards from Yquem. It makes intensely golden wines, including a memorable 2001 named wine of the year by the international press.

Château Climens, nicknamed the Lord of Barsac, embodies the finest, most saline side of these wines: made entirely from Sémillon grown in a single contiguous vineyard on the limestone plateau, it has been farmed using Demeter-certified biodynamic methods for more than ten years. Long run by Bérénice Lurton, the estate was sold mainly to the Moitry family in 2022, without a change in style. Château Coutet, another Barsac Premier Cru Classé, has been in the Baly family since 1977. It produces vibrant, mineral wines and reserves its exceptionally rare Cuvée Madame for its greatest vintages. Château Guiraud, a Sauternes Premier Cru Classé, made recent Bordeaux history in 2011 when it became the first 1855 classified growth certified for organic farming. Its wines show exemplary precision, and it also produces the dry white Le G. Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, in Bommes, has enjoyed a true renaissance since its purchase in 2014 by Silvio Denz, chairman of the Lalique group, driven by substantial investment and a Michelin-starred hotel restaurant on the property.

Less widely known but just as sought after by collectors, two unclassified crus regularly reach the level of the Premiers Crus. Château de Fargues, the historic home of the de Lur Saluces family, where Alexandre de Lur Saluces settled after leaving Yquem, produces tiny quantities with standards as exacting as those of its illustrious neighbor. This accounts for its high prices and persistent scarcity. Château Raymond-Lafon, acquired in 1972 by Pierre Meslier, then the manager of Yquem, sits immediately beside the Yquem plateau and uses the same methods of selective harvesting and aging, offering one of the appellation's best values.

How long can you cellar a Sauternes wine?

These wines are among the world's most age-worthy, thanks to the combination of sugar, acidity, and alcohol, three natural preservatives. A wine bearing a village appellation from a reputable estate can comfortably keep for 10 to 20 years; a classified growth, for 20 to 40 years. The greatest bottles from benchmark vintages can easily last 50 years or more, as still-vibrant bottles from the 19th century attest. A young vintage can be enjoyed upon release for its bright tropical-fruit flavors, but at least ten years of cellaring allows its sweetness to integrate and notes of saffron, light caramel, and dried fruit to emerge. Store bottles on their sides, away from light, at 11 to 14°C, with stable humidity of around 70%. Serve these wines cool but not ice-cold, at around 8 to 10°C, in a generously sized white wine glass. Young, closed vintages benefit from a brief 30-minute decant, while bottles more than 30 years old should be served directly to avoid disturbing their now-delicate balance.

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