TN: Chateau Laribotte Sauternes '18....(short/boring)

TomHill · November 7, 2021, 7:32pm

Tried the newest vintage this weekend:

Chateau Laribotte Sauternes (13%; MeBaC; 4% Sauvignon/1% Muscadelle; RS: 13.4%; SaH: 35.5 %) 2018: Med.gold color; very strong botrytis/peachy/apricotty very classic Sauternes/caramel/butterscotch some Semillon/figgy beautiful complex nose; fairly tart fairly sweet very strong botrytis/peachy/apricotty/Semillon/figgy/butterscotch light Fr.oak/caramel rather complex flavor; very long/lingering very strong botrytis/peachy/apricotty light Fr.oak/butterscotchy/caramel fairly sweet lightly tart some complex finish; a terrific value at $21.75 (KK)

A wee BloodyPulpit:

I had tried the '16 version of this wine a few weeks ago:

Tom:

Tried this Sauternes for breakfast this morning:

Chateau Laribotte AC: Sauternes (13%; MeBaC; 95% Semillon/4% Sauvignon/1% Muscadelle; RS: 13.2%; SaH: 36.6 Brix; Jean-Christophe Calvet Slctn/Aquitane Wine Imprts/Berkeley) SCEA Lahiteau et Fils/Preignac 2016: Med.gold color; very strong botrytis/peachy/apricotty some Semillon/figgy/melony slight butterscotchy/oak some complex lovely nose; rather tart/tangy strong botrytis/peachy/apricotty lightly sweet fairly structured strong Semillon/figgy/graham cracker/butterscotchy/honeyed/honeycomb slight pencilly/oak quite lush but structured fairly complex beautiful flavor; very long/lingering somewhat sweet very strong figgy/Semillon/melony light pencilly/butterscotch/oak strong botrytis/peachy/apricotty finish; not a sweet & rich & vulptuous & with more Semillon fruit & more structured than most & should go out 10-15 yrs; an absolutely lovely Sauternes at a stupid/silly price. $19.00/hlf (KK)

A wee BloodyPulpit:

A real discovery in the way of Sauternes. More alongs the leaner/more structured lines of Latour-Blanche or Doisey-Vedrines; at 1/3’rd the price.
I hadn’t seen the Laribotte in quite a few yrs. Back in the mid-'70’s, we used to buy the Laribotte under the Alexis Lichine Slctns label at a ridiculously low price. It’s still ridiculously priced. I’m going back for more.
Tom

This newest '18 is a bit more primary in character and not quite the complexity of the '16. I suspect it will put on weight over the next few yrs and be the equal, maybe better, than the '16; should go out 10-15 yrs; a nice balance of botrytis & Semillon fruit. A bit more expensive than the '16 but still a screaming value.
Tom