Sigalas Rabaud

Château Sigalas Rabaud, First Classified Growth 1855, belongs to the Sauternes AOC. It is the result of hard and precise work on “the jewel of Sigalas” , the 14 Ha vineyard in sustainable viticulture. A demanding, manual bay-by-bay selection of pure botrytis cinerea from September to November gives the immense complexity of the great Sigalas Rabaud. Created in the 19th century by the Sigalas Family, this great wine never ceases to amaze with its aromatic richness, its beautiful silky robe and its length in the mouth.

Winemaker notes

2001: This 2001 vintage, of’a great aromatic finesse, offers us a harmonious blend of’abricot, peach, exotic fruits and honey on the nose. The mouth, powerful but airy, ends on a beautiful finish all in freshness. A lively and voluptuous wine, which bears the signature of the terroir of Sigalas!

2001

Wine Advocate 91: The Sigalas-Rabaud has a ripe honeyed nose that does not quite possess the penetration or complexity of its peers. The palate is well balanced with a viscous opening. This is quite tight and backward although the finish shows there is plenty of concentration that will require continued cellaring to really open up. Tightly coiled and still boasting that lovely nutty, almost Azsu-like finish, this could repay further cellaring. Drink 2014-2030

Decanter 95: Burnished gold in colour. Woodsmoke, cloves, white pepper and white truffles all come through strongly on the attack. This is great quality, it has the savoury quality to its autumnal fruits that suggests it was full of fresh acidities rather than overly sweet when young, and has layered complexities now it is 20 years old that showcase steel and silk. Good stuff. 142g/l residual sugar. Harvest here was October 12 through to November 10, so the latest in the lineup, and was the biggest harvest for this property since 1893, brought in over four separate passes through the vineyard.