I opened a 750 ml the other night to go with rhubarb apple crisp with double vanila ice cream. Was decanted for an hour.
It was very tasty but had this hard edge finish. Same on day 2. Day 3 it faded and the finish how exploded with length and complexity.
This wine was stored decanted in a fridge over days 2 and 3.
Is this normal for this wine and is this an indicator to just hold this for a while?
If I had to rate this wine day 1&2, 90-91 pts. Day 3, easy 94-95.
Anybody? Beuhler?
I haven’t had this wine, but when I experience this type of thing, I usually assume the wine just needs more time.
To me that’s the botrytis and find it in young, well made Sauterne, especially out of a .750.
I also find that the hard edge dissipates with being open and integrates after a few days.
To me it just needs a lot more cellar time for that edge to integrate, probably at least 10 years.
I get worried when I don’t find this note in a young Sauterne as I suspect it doesn’t have the structure to age.
For example, you will not find that trait in very many 03’s, they should be easy and open for business.
That seems normal for young Sauternes. Most 2001s (before I decided to just put them away for a while) were best a day or two after opening.
My experience with aged Sauternes is quite limited, but among the bottles I’ve had over the past decade from the 90,89,88,86, and 83 vintages, a majority have had a noticeable bitter note on the finish. Maybe someone with experience can tell us the source of this bitterness and how frequently it dissipates and with what amount of aging.
I can’t say I’ve noticed a consistent bitterness in young Sauternes, but they certainly can be disjointed and can improve for days to a week when opened.
As for when it is older, I can see how a copper type of flavor which is common can be interpreted as bitter or metallic. I think that is part of the style of aged Sauternes though not all have it. Maybe try richer Sauternes with more fruit to start?
With this wine, you’ll want to open, pour a glass, recork and place in the fridge for 1-2 weeks before drinking. It will blossom as you noticed. It is a great wine and a favorite if mine.