The prolonged growing season of 2004, with a more typical weather pattern than 2003, together with increasing technical expertise, has resulted in some delicious dry white Bordeaux which combine great freshness with real intensity of flavour.
Some particularly cool nights in mid September seem to have rewarded those who were able to pick Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon afterwards rather than before. That said, both the renowned dry whites made by the Haut-Brion team, Ch Haut-Brion Blanc and Ch Laville Haut-Brion, are delicious in 2004 even though the harvest for these wines began characteristically early on 6th September after three hot days.
This vintage for Sauternes and Barsac is not as successful as for the dry whites, although there were some good wines made. As always, the best producers did well through a strict selection of only botrytis affected fruit. The harvest was long and difficult with botrytis affected fruit being picked from 27th September, right through to early November.
"...This shows wonderful aromas of pineapples, apples and lemons with loads of botrytis. Full-bodied, but incredibly refined and long. Superfresh and racy. It goes on and on and on. Fabulous. This has an incredible purity and brightness. Like a perfectly cut diamond." James Suckling - Wine Spectator - Apr-2005
James Suckling - Wine Spectator - Apr-2005