Graves · Sauternes and Barsac appellations · 1855 classification
Sauternes and Barsac wines: vintages available, prices and pairings
Every Sauternes Transvins offers, from Yquem to old vintages, vintage by vintage: the format, the guide price and what to expect of it today. Tick what interests you and the quote request goes off with your selection.
The Sauternes and Barsac wines on offer
From the superior first growth to the unclassified wines. A Sauternes keeps for decades: many of the lines are old vintages. Nothing is sent until you click on the quote.
From unclassified to superior first growth
The wines of Sauternes and Barsac have their own 1855 classification. Barsac, the neighbouring commune to the north, has its own appellation; its wines are also entitled to the Sauternes name.
Superior first growth
Château d’Yquem, alone in this rank.
First growths
Rieussec, Sigalas Rabaud, Suduiraut, and Climens in Barsac: sweet wines for very long ageing.
Crèmes de tête
Cuvées made from an estate's best lots, such as those of Suduiraut or Gilette, which only releases its wines after many years in vat.
Unclassified
Bastor-Lamontagne: a simpler Sauternes, and sometimes a very old vintage at a reasonable price.
What makes a Sauternes
South of the Graves, where the cooler Ciron joins the Garonne: autumn mists and warm afternoons encourage noble rot, a fungus that concentrates the sugar in the grapes. Mostly Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, a little Muscadelle. The grapes are picked in several passes, as they are affected: low yields, and wines that keep longer than almost any red.
What to serve it with
- Foie gras, as a starter (what wine with foie gras).
- Roquefort and blue cheeses (what wine with cheese).
- Desserts with yellow or tropical fruit, not too sweet (what wine with dessert).
Which Sauternes for which occasion
For a birthday, a Sauternes from the birth year: it is one of the wines that best withstands fifty years in the cellar (birth year vintage). For Christmas Eve, with the foie gras (what wine with the Christmas menu). Allow one bottle for eight to ten glasses: sweet wine is served in small amounts.
Should you drink Sauternes with dessert?
Not necessarily. In France, it is often served with foie gras at the start of the meal; elsewhere, at the end of the meal or on its own. Both work; just avoid very sweet desserts, which crush it.
Is an old Sauternes still good?
Often, yes. Well stored, a Sauternes of forty or fifty years has taken on an amber colour and notes of honey, candied orange and spice. It is the wine for the oldest birth year vintages.
At what temperature should you serve it?
About 8–10 °C for a young one, 10–12 °C for an old vintage, which needs a little warmth to open up.
Are the prices shown the ones on the quote?
They are the guide prices from the price list, incl. VAT, per bottle of the format, excluding delivery. The quote confirms the price, the availability of each vintage and the postage; the delivery grid gives the lead times. For a Sauternes or a vintage not in the table, the quote request is still open.