One of the top Sauternes in this report is the 2016 Château Guiraud, a brilliant wine from a more challenging vintage for the Sauternes region. Beautiful, powerful notes of sugared peach, blood orange, caramelized pineapple, and honey all give way to a full-bodied Sauternes that has loads of sweetness and richness, yet good acidity as well. It does everything right and will offer up incredible pleasure over the coming 25-30 years.

Guiraud walks the line of minerality, florality and richness effectively for me. Lime juice oozes through, you can't hold it back, and your mouth responds. Succulent, with a well judged salinity. Very good. Read more at https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/bordeaux/cha-teau-guiraud-sauternes-1er-cru-classe-2016-11424#txvGq0fwezHLOWqI.99

The 2016 Guiraud has a pale lemon color and opens with musk perfume, paraffin, cedar and spice box notes with a core of lemon tart, honey-drizzled white peaches and kumquat plus a waft of quince paste. The palate has beautiful vibrancy and loads of lively tropical and spicy layers, finishing very long. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The 2016 Guiraud has a very attractive, complex bouquet of lemon curd, orange blossom and light lanolin aromas that gently unfold in the glass. The palate is very well balanced with a spicy opening. This feels concentrated and harmonious, delivering good grip and a tangy marmalade-driven finish that begs you back for another sip. Excellent. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. -- Neal Martin

Bright, candied citrus rind, pineapples, mango, and honey-topped, oranges with caramel, flowers, and ginger accents. This is one of those Sauternes that can be paired with spicy meals, or, buttery seafood as it balances its sweetness with vibrant acidities. Drink from 2024-2045.