2005 Nairac

Tasted blind. Deep coppery gold. Real edge and tension on the nose. Masses of sweetness and concentration. Proper grown-up Sauternes! Attractive light bitterness on the end. (JR)

Tasted blind at the 10-Year On Tasting in Sauternes. The 2005 Château Nairac has a little flatness on the nose compared to its peers: honey and marmalade at first, a touch of persimmon, but it needs a little more tension. The palate is well balanced with a viscous opening, rich in the mouth with tangy marmalade and orange peel notes, though missing some persistence on the finish. I suspect there are better bottles out there, hence the plus-sign against my score.

Fresh and lively and almost lemony! A very light style that succeeds within that framework but is not really trying for the long term. (JR)