x
  • Country ranking ?

    732
  • Producer ranking ?

    8
  • Decanting time

    2h
  • When to drink

    2020-2035
  • Food Pairing

    Salads

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The Story

Raymond-Lafon is a name to watch in the Sauternes district, particularly if one is looking for a wine that is close to the brilliance and majestic richness of Yquem for less than one-third the price.

This small estate abuts Yquem's vineyard and has had an excellent reputation. The 1921 Raymond-Lafon was considered even better than Yquem's wine in that great vintage. I have never tasted the 1921 Raymond-Lafon, but the single greatest Sauternes I have ever drunk was the Yquem of that vintage.

However, the estate of Raymond-Lafon fell into neglect, and it was not until 1972 that Pierre Meslier, the manager of Yquem, purchased this vineyard and began to rebuild this wine's once fabulous reputation.

With a tiny yield of 9 hectoliters per hectare (even less than Yquem's), with the same grape blend and winemaking techniques employed as Yquem, and with the same ruthless selection procedure (normally 20% - 100% of a harvest is declassified), Raymond-Lafon has already produced a succession of splendid Sauternes, beginning with a great 1975 and just recently concluding with a monumental 1990.

Raymond-Lafon looks to be well on the road to becoming one of the great classic wines of Sauternes. Unfortunately, the wine is extremely difficult to find because of the tiny production and the fact that proprietor Pierre Meslier sells much of it to private clients in Europe. One must wonder why this vineyard, situated next to Yquem and surrounded by all the Premiers Crus Classés of Sauternes, was overlooked in the 1855 classification.

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Wine Information

The 1988 offers the most refined aromatic profile and the tightest structure, and the 1989 tastes the most restrained. All of these wines can be drunk now, but purchasers are advised to wait until the turn of the century and enjoy them over the following 2 decades.

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Vintage 1988

The first of a trio of great vintages and which was rather overshadowed by the 89s and 90s. Certainly the most "classic" of the trio, with many wines which are not overtly fruit-focused, but which have levels of extract and concentration which make them perfect candidates for prolonged storage.

The first half of the year was exceptionally cold and wet and the vintage was saved by a long, dry and hot summer. Harvest began in mid-September and some cabernets were not picked until the 3rd week of October. Most wines are now approaching their plateau of maturity, with the choice of the bunch being the Cabernet-dominated Médocs and Graves. Pauillac was particularly successful.

 

 

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Latest Pro-tasting notes

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Written Notes

This is one of my favourite vintages in Sauternes - extremely well-balanced, purely elegant, sophisticated and refined. Raymond Lafon suited this description perfectly in October 2008 and had very strong aromas of mandarins and candied fruit. On the palate, candied orange peel and citrus peel were supported in extremely fine way by acidity. A long time keeper due to its extraordinary balance - 10-15 years more from now.

  • 96p

Deep golden with amber hue. Rich nose, some nuts and caramel, apricots and crème brulée, intense, leaps out of the glass. Grilled pineapples and some cinnamon. Fresh acidity, fruity, intense, ripe, rich, rounded, detailed, sweet and almost burnt sugary, crème brulée finish, long. 94

  • 94p
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Information

Origin

Sauternes, Bordeaux
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