Ripe and unctuous, but with a deliciously racy orange streak running through the core of creamed pear, fig and green plum flavors. Supercreamy on the finish and very long, with honeysuckle and almond notes echoing on and on. A stunner in the making.-J.M.

A super intense and lively Sauternes with dried pineapple, flan and botrytis spice character. Full and very muscular with racy acidity and a wicked finish. This is structured and powerful. Can't feel that much sweetness yet it is. Cross between 2003 and 2005?

Dense, spicy, rich and minerally to smell; vital, concentrated, elegantly proportioned especially because of the impression of acidity; intensely sweet, vivid expression of Guiraud, racy in character with a clear minerality behind the sugar, long and complex to taste and with fine length - if the finish seems a little 'dry' and without quite the fruit core of the mid palate. Very good Guiraud, nonetheless. [M.Schuster, Bordeaux Mar/Apr 2012]

The 2011 Guiraud is missing some of the vivacity and fruit intensity displayed by some of its peers this year, and its bouquet is quite resinous and missing the fruit concentration of others in this vintage. The palate shows more promise, with very fine tension and crisp acidity, although it is not quite matched by the finish, which feels slightly attenuated. I was hoping for more from Guiraud, which has produced some excellent wines in recent years, although both samples were consistent.

Drink 2019-2035 RS 140 g/l, TA 3.8 g/l. Not terribly open on the nose though you can find ripe lemon and apricot plus an oily minerality. Rich, powerful apricot fruit, bitter orange and marked freshness to counterbalance. Zesty in a rich framework, slight pear-grain grip. Pure, lots of power, incredibly viscous. Mouthwatering finish. (JH) 13.9%