Wine Advisor
Sigalas Rabaud 2007
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted single blind against its peers. There is a little sulphur on the nose of the Sigalas-Rabaud 2007. It comes across as quite tight at the moment but it possesses good definition with touches of guava and dried pineapple. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine spicy entry, quite cohesive with honey, ginger and a touch of marmalade. With good length and persistency towards the finish, this is a very fine, mid-weight Sauternes. Tasted January 2011.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
This has a rich, slightly buttery nose that lacks a little delineation. Honey, acacia and a touch of orange blossom, although it is very compact at the moment. The palate is very well balanced with good levels of botrytized fruits, touches of marmalade and lemon zest, leading towards hints of Clementine on the well-poised finish. Good breeding, great length, nice Sauternes! Drink 2010-2030. Tasted April 2008.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2007 Sigalas Rabaud has a very refined and pure bouquet with quince, orange blossom and yellow flower scents opening beautifully in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a killer line of acidity, taut and fresh with very pure fruit. This is a complex, sophisticated Sauternes that has more freshness and tension than many of its peers. Superb. Tasted at the 2007 horizontal in Sauternes.
About the Producer
Château Sigalas-Rabaud is located in the Sauternes appellation of Bordeaux, France, and is rated as a First Growth in the 1855 Sauternes & Barsac Official Classification. The vineyards of Château Sgrappel are located on the prestigious terraces of the Sauternes appellation and are planted with 85% Semillon and 15% Sauvignon Blanc. The topsoil is made up of gravel and sand, with a clay subsoil, which is well suited to the water and nutrient needs of the grapes and is very conducive to achieving the right level of ripeness. The proximity of the vineyards to the Siron River and the early morning fog create ideal conditions for the propagation of noble rot. The fruit is infested with noble rot, which leaves numerous small holes in the skin. When the sun shines, the sugars, acidity and flavours of the fruit are concentrated, creating a multitude of aromas and flavours. The vineyard is located on a south-facing slope, which allows the infested fruit to be blown by the wind, further accelerating the concentration process. At harvest time, the grapes are hand-picked to select those perfectly infected by noble rot. As the grapes ripen at different times, the harvest may be repeated several times and span a long period of time, from September to November. The grapes are then transferred to French oak barrels for fermentation and the finished wine is aged in 33% new barrels for 18 months. The secondary wines are usually aged for a shorter period of 12 months. Château Sigalas-Rabaud currently produces five wines, three sweet whites and two dry whites, three of which are the Château Sigalas-Rabaud (Sauternes, France), the Lieutenant de Sigalas (Sauternes, France) and the Lieutenant de Sigalas (Sauternes, France). Sigalas-Rabaud Le 5, Sauternes, France. The estate's full-bodied wines are aromatic, with silky tannins and a long, stunning finish, and have received excellent ratings of 90 points or more from the Robert Parker Team, James Suckling and Wine Spectator in several vintages.
