Chateau Guiraud Sauternes Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Chateau Guiraud

Learn everything about Chateau Guiraud Sauternes, Premiers Crus with wine tasting notes, and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, a history of the property, information on the vineyards, and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Guiraud History, Overview

Originally known as La Maison Noble du Bayle, the estate earned its name, and its fame, when it was owned by the Guiraud family in 1766. At the time of the 1855 Classification, the wines were sold under the name of Chateau Bayle.

The black label still in use today came from the Guiraud family. The label, with its gold coat of arms logo, symbolizing their Protestant roots, is one of the oldest, original designs in the Bordeaux region and has essentially remained unchanged since it was originally designed.

The first part of the modern era for the estates begins when it was purchased by Frank Narby in 1981. At the time of the purchase, the Narby family brought in Xavier Planty to manage the property.

The true modern era for the estate started in 2006 when Chateau Guiraud was purchased by a partnership formed by Robert Peugeot and three well-known Bordeaux winemakers and chateau owners, Olivier Bernard of Domaine de Chevalier, Stephan Von Neipperg who owns numerous St. Emilion properties including Canon La Gaffeliere, La Mondotte, and Clos de lOratoire and Xavier Planty.

One of the first actions the new owners took was to remove the red wine grapes that were planted in the 1930s from the vineyards. This was followed by a modernization of the cellars and winemaking equipment.

A new drainage system was installed in the vineyards as well. The vineyards also needed a lot of replanting to increase the vine density. As you can see, this was already becoming a very expensive proposition for the new owners.

In 2010, Chateau Guiraud registered the term BioViticulture. They did this because the estate is focusing on not only organic farming but on a more global approach to sustainable viticulture. You’ll find similar practices at all the estates of Stephan von Neipperg.

Chateau Guiraud earned the coveted status of full Agence Bio (AB) organic certification starting with the 2011 vintage. All of these efforts and improvements have clearly increased the quality of the wine being made at Chateau Guiraud. In 2018, with the help of chef Nicolas Lascombes, they opened La Chapelle de Guiraud, the leading restaurant in Sauternes.

In October 2021, Xavier Planty sold his shares to Matthieu Gufflet, a passionate wine lover who is better known as a successful businessman and hotel owner. The other 3 original partners continue to remain as owners of the vineyard. In 2022, Sandrine Garbay joined Guiraud as the Director of the estate after a long and storied career at Chateau d’Yquem.

The best vintages of Chateau Guiraud are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2001 and 1959.

Chateau Guiraud Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 110-hectare vineyard of Chateau Guiraud is planted to 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc. The estate also owns 28 hectares of land that are reserved for parkland, greenery, and verdant, tree-filled forest land. Here, you also find biodiversity with land used to plant spices, and for beehives, which aids in the natural biodiversity of the soil.

It is interesting to note that Chateau Guiraud maintains one of the highest percentages of Sauvignon Blanc in the Sauternes appellation. This is still lower than what it was at the time of the purchase.

However, even at 35% of the vineyard, this represents a large reduction in the amount of Sauvignon Blanc planted at Chateau Guiraud, which was more than 50% of the vineyard in the past.

The terroir of Chateau Guiraud is a blend of sand, gravel, clay, limestone soils on sloping hillsides which rise to 72 meters at their peak elevation. On average the vines are close to 40 years of age. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 6,500 vines per hectare.

To produce the wine Chateau Guiraud, vinification takes place in new, French oak barrels. The wine is aged in 35% to 50% new, French oak barrels for an average of close to 24 months before bottling, depending on the quality and character of the vintage. On average Chateau Guiraud produces close to 12,500 cases of wine each year.

In 2011, the property renamed its second wine, Le Dauphin de Chateau Guiraud. Previously, the second wine was known as Petit Guiraud.

Chateau Guiraud also produces dry white Bordeaux wines named G and in select vintages. In 2020 they added a new dry white wine to their portfolio Grand Vin Blanc Sec, which is usually a blend of close to 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon. The name was changed shortly after to Le G de Guiraud’ Bordeaux Blanc Sec.

Chateau Guirau is also one of the few remaining chateaux to make a Kosher cuvee’ of sweet Bordeaux wine. On average, 12,500 cases of wine are produced each year at Chateau Guiraud.

When to Drink Chateau Guiraud, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Guiraud can be enjoyed on the young side with no decanting. In fact, it is delicious and quite a treat young, even on release! However, like all great wines, Chateau Guiraud is much better with age and does not reach full maturity until it’s between 12-30 years of age, or in some years, perhaps even longer in the best vintages!

That is when the magic happens! But that is unrealistic for 99% of the world’s wine drinkers. So, enjoy it on any special occasion that calls for it.

Of course, the wine is sweet, but there is so much, incredible, racy acidity, the wine always feels fresh, and never cloying, which makes it quite fun to enjoy young. With Chateau Guiraud and frankly, all Sauternes, the temperature is more important than decanting.

Serving Chateau Guiraud with Wine and Food Pairings

Chateau Guiraud is best served at 14 degrees Celsius, 57 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The wine will naturally warm in the glass, while it develops more aromatic complexities and fleshes out.

Chateau Guiraud can be served with seafood dishes, especially shellfish, lobster, crab, and oysters on the half shell. Foie gras is a perfect pairing with its natural sweet, salty, and savory characteristics. Chateau Guiraud can also be paired with roasted chicken, veal, and pork dishes that are either spicy or prepared with a touch of sweetness.

Spicy Asian cuisine, raw fish, like sushi or sashimi, and cheese, both hard and soft also make great pairings with Chateau Guiraud.

www.chateauguiraud.com

Château Guiraud Wine Tasting Notes

24 Vintages 128,557 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
95
The first vintage with Sandrine Garaby, formerly of Chateau d'Yquem in charge is the winner you knew it would be. The wine is intense, rich, deep, and manages to balance its layers of roasted, ripe, and over ripe pineapples, mango, candied orange, vanilla, almond, and apricots perfectly. The fruits are slathered with honey, yet they retain that all important freshness as well. Drink from 2025-2050. 94-96 Pts.

The first vintage with Sandrine Garaby, formerly of Chateau d'Yquem in charge is the winner you knew it would be. The wine is intense, rich, deep, and manages to balance its layers of roasted, ripe, and over ripe pineapples, mango, candied orange, vanilla, almond, and apricots perfectly. The fruits are slathered with honey, yet they retain that all important freshness as well. Drink from 2025-2050. 94-96 Pts.

2,084 Views   Tasted
2020
94
With a lean to the orange side of the style range you find a wealth of candied mangos, roasted tangerine, orange rind, and apricots with nuances of roasted nuts, flowers, spice, and honey. The racy, vibrant finish provides a balance between its decadently sweet, orange tropical fruits, pineapples, and white peaches topped with honey, spice, and racy freshness. Drink from 2023-2050.

With a lean to the orange side of the style range you find a wealth of candied mangos, roasted tangerine, orange rind, and apricots with nuances of roasted nuts, flowers, spice, and honey. The racy, vibrant finish provides a balance between its decadently sweet, orange tropical fruits, pineapples, and white peaches topped with honey, spice, and racy freshness. Drink from 2023-2050.

1,179 Views   Tasted
Roasted nuts, pears, pineapple, white peach, mango and honeysuckle make a gorgeous perfume. On the palate the wine shines with its perfect balance between all the decadently sweet pineapples and candied apricots coated with honey, and ample refreshing acidity keeping everything balanced between sweet and fresh. 93-95 Pts

Roasted nuts, pears, pineapple, white peach, mango and honeysuckle make a gorgeous perfume. On the palate the wine shines with its perfect balance between all the decadently sweet pineapples and candied apricots coated with honey, and ample refreshing acidity keeping everything balanced between sweet and fresh. 93-95 Pts

3,686 Views   Tasted
2020
92
Apricots, almonds, flowers, and a dab of honey create the perfume. The palate is even better with its layers of lusciously-textured, oranges, candied lemon, and notes of white peach that show up in the vibrant, creamy finish. This is the debut of this new wine from Guiraud which is the brainchild of Sandrine Garbay. The wine truly tastes exactly like what you want from a dry Sauternes. Drink from 2023-2035. 92 Pts

Apricots, almonds, flowers, and a dab of honey create the perfume. The palate is even better with its layers of lusciously-textured, oranges, candied lemon, and notes of white peach that show up in the vibrant, creamy finish. This is the debut of this new wine from Guiraud which is the brainchild of Sandrine Garbay. The wine truly tastes exactly like what you want from a dry Sauternes. Drink from 2023-2035. 92 Pts

756 Views   Tasted
2019
93
White peach, flowers, roasted pears, grilled nuts, orange tropical fruits, candied apricot and honey nuts are all over the place here. The wine triangulates its richness, sweetness and racy orange and yellow, honeyed fruits with ease. Drink from 2023-2045.

White peach, flowers, roasted pears, grilled nuts, orange tropical fruits, candied apricot and honey nuts are all over the place here. The wine triangulates its richness, sweetness and racy orange and yellow, honeyed fruits with ease. Drink from 2023-2045.

2,620 Views   Tasted
White peach, yellow tropical fruits, candied orange rind and honeysuckle make their presence known on the nose and palate. The wine is fresh, lively and comes with a bit of spice with honeyed fruit and vanilla in the finish. 92-94 Pts

White peach, yellow tropical fruits, candied orange rind and honeysuckle make their presence known on the nose and palate. The wine is fresh, lively and comes with a bit of spice with honeyed fruit and vanilla in the finish. 92-94 Pts

4,278 Views   Tasted
2019
92
Combining bright grapefruit and orange peel with hints of vanilla bean in the nose, the wine is fresh, lifted, oily and long on the palate, with a generous serving of more of that orange peel and pomelo in the finish.

Combining bright grapefruit and orange peel with hints of vanilla bean in the nose, the wine is fresh, lifted, oily and long on the palate, with a generous serving of more of that orange peel and pomelo in the finish.

4,828 Views   Tasted
2017
94
Fresh, sweet, honeyed, and floral, the wine serves up a nice blend of brown sugar, mangoes, orange peel, vanilla and caramel. Rich as well as peppy, so everything holds together and ages perfectly.

Fresh, sweet, honeyed, and floral, the wine serves up a nice blend of brown sugar, mangoes, orange peel, vanilla and caramel. Rich as well as peppy, so everything holds together and ages perfectly.

4,919 Views   Tasted
Pineapple, mango, white peach and candied orange rind are blended together and topped with vanilla bean and honey to make this a confectionary extravagance. But like all the great sweet wines, it's the harmonizing acidity that's needed to bring freshness

Pineapple, mango, white peach and candied orange rind are blended together and topped with vanilla bean and honey to make this a confectionary extravagance. But like all the great sweet wines, it's the harmonizing acidity that's needed to bring freshness

2,239 Views   Tasted
2016
94
Bright, candied citrus rind, pineapples, mango, and honey-topped, oranges with caramel, flowers, and ginger accents. This is one of those Sauternes that can be paired with spicy meals, or, buttery seafood as it balances its sweetness with vibrant acidities. Drink from 2024-2045.

Bright, candied citrus rind, pineapples, mango, and honey-topped, oranges with caramel, flowers, and ginger accents. This is one of those Sauternes that can be paired with spicy meals, or, buttery seafood as it balances its sweetness with vibrant acidities. Drink from 2024-2045.

1,824 Views   Tasted
Fresh, ripe and overripe sweet pineapple, mango, apricot and white peach fruits are all wrapped up quite nicely with vanilla and honey coated nuts.

Fresh, ripe and overripe sweet pineapple, mango, apricot and white peach fruits are all wrapped up quite nicely with vanilla and honey coated nuts.

3,362 Views   Tasted
Juicy pineapple, apricot, peach and vanilla blend to create the nose. Rich, lush and sweet, the wine finishes with overripe tropical fruits coated with honey.

Juicy pineapple, apricot, peach and vanilla blend to create the nose. Rich, lush and sweet, the wine finishes with overripe tropical fruits coated with honey.

3,156 Views   Tasted
2015
96
Combine a cornucopia of tropical fruits with orange zest, a jar of honey, vanilla bean and just picked flowers, and you get the picture. Delicious, concentrated, lush and remarkably fresh, this is going to age for decades.

Combine a cornucopia of tropical fruits with orange zest, a jar of honey, vanilla bean and just picked flowers, and you get the picture. Delicious, concentrated, lush and remarkably fresh, this is going to age for decades.

5,071 Views   Tasted
A stunner in 2015, this is incredibly packed with fat, juicy, ripe and over ripe honeyed apricots, vanilla custard, pineapple, honey and candied citrus. Great balance between concentration, sweetness and blazing acidity with the ability to age and evolve for decades! 94 - 96 Pts

A stunner in 2015, this is incredibly packed with fat, juicy, ripe and over ripe honeyed apricots, vanilla custard, pineapple, honey and candied citrus. Great balance between concentration, sweetness and blazing acidity with the ability to age and evolve for decades! 94 - 96 Pts

4,202 Views   Tasted
2014
95
This is really rocking! The levels of acidity give this all the lift you need, so that the sweet, honey drenched, tropical fruit and vanilla can really shine.

This is really rocking! The levels of acidity give this all the lift you need, so that the sweet, honey drenched, tropical fruit and vanilla can really shine.

2,877 Views   Tasted
2013
93
Rich, sweet honey coated tropical fruits, vanilla bean, nuts and flowers open the wine. The sweet and spicy element that comes on top of the fruit makes the naturally honeyed tropical fruits really come alive.

Rich, sweet honey coated tropical fruits, vanilla bean, nuts and flowers open the wine. The sweet and spicy element that comes on top of the fruit makes the naturally honeyed tropical fruits really come alive.

3,067 Views   Tasted
Fat, juicy and packed with honeyed apricot, pineapple, vanilla bean and candied oranges, this lush treat is perfectly balanced by sweet honeyed fruit and refreshing acidity. 93-95 Pts

Fat, juicy and packed with honeyed apricot, pineapple, vanilla bean and candied oranges, this lush treat is perfectly balanced by sweet honeyed fruit and refreshing acidity. 93-95 Pts

3,208 Views   Tasted
2011
93
Filled with spicy, candied orange, nuts, honey, pineapple, apricot and vanilla, the wine lacks a bit of the intensity found in the top wines of the vintage. Yet, it still delivers a tasty, sweet, tropical, orange, honeyed finish with good freshness.

Filled with spicy, candied orange, nuts, honey, pineapple, apricot and vanilla, the wine lacks a bit of the intensity found in the top wines of the vintage. Yet, it still delivers a tasty, sweet, tropical, orange, honeyed finish with good freshness.

3,784 Views   Tasted
2010
95
A decade in the bottle has added a lot here. This fabulous sweet wine hit it right out of the bottle. Flowers, dried apricot, vanilla bean, roasted cashews, and honey-coated pineapple with candied pear notes are all over the nose and palate. The balance between sweet and acidity is right on target. This is a beauty! Drink from 2022-2050.

A decade in the bottle has added a lot here. This fabulous sweet wine hit it right out of the bottle. Flowers, dried apricot, vanilla bean, roasted cashews, and honey-coated pineapple with candied pear notes are all over the nose and palate. The balance between sweet and acidity is right on target. This is a beauty! Drink from 2022-2050.

3,041 Views   Tasted
I know it's young, but I really enjoy the freshness and super sweetness found in young Sauternes. More on the orange, tangerine and apricot side of the style range, instead of tropical fruits, there is enough honeyed sweetness, acidity and vanilla notes, along with good concentration of flavor to keep you busy.

I know it's young, but I really enjoy the freshness and super sweetness found in young Sauternes. More on the orange, tangerine and apricot side of the style range, instead of tropical fruits, there is enough honeyed sweetness, acidity and vanilla notes, along with good concentration of flavor to keep you busy.

4,017 Views   Tasted
2009
92
Honey coated apricot, pineapple,. peach and orange notes create the aromatics. Medium/full bodied, the wine ends with orange rind, apricot and sweet honeyed pineapple.

Honey coated apricot, pineapple,. peach and orange notes create the aromatics. Medium/full bodied, the wine ends with orange rind, apricot and sweet honeyed pineapple.

6,676 Views   Tasted
2008
94
A decade of additional aging has created a sweet, beauty. Rich, lush, and a touch spicy, you also enjoy a wealth of candied orange rind, apricots, vanilla bean, roasted nuts, and overripe pineapples coated with honey in every sniff and sip. This is a rich style, but it comes along with ample acidity so the wine always feels lifted and never cloying. Drink from 2023-2040.

A decade of additional aging has created a sweet, beauty. Rich, lush, and a touch spicy, you also enjoy a wealth of candied orange rind, apricots, vanilla bean, roasted nuts, and overripe pineapples coated with honey in every sniff and sip. This is a rich style, but it comes along with ample acidity so the wine always feels lifted and never cloying. Drink from 2023-2040.

2,545 Views   Tasted
Medium/full bodied, lacking the same level of depth and concentration found in 2007 or 2009. However, there is a lot to like about the wine with its vanilla, apricot, orange marmelade, honeysuckle and pineapple filled personality. Sweet, soft, luscious and forward, this is already delivering pleasure.

Medium/full bodied, lacking the same level of depth and concentration found in 2007 or 2009. However, there is a lot to like about the wine with its vanilla, apricot, orange marmelade, honeysuckle and pineapple filled personality. Sweet, soft, luscious and forward, this is already delivering pleasure.

5,033 Views   Tasted
2007
92
A beautiful nose filled with flowers and spicy, honey coated orange, apricot, peach and pineapple gets you excited. This rich, concentrated wine ends with a long sensation of warm nuts, honey and sweet, ripe, tropical fruit.

A beautiful nose filled with flowers and spicy, honey coated orange, apricot, peach and pineapple gets you excited. This rich, concentrated wine ends with a long sensation of warm nuts, honey and sweet, ripe, tropical fruit.

6,276 Views   Tasted
2006
91
On the orange side of the style range, with plenty of honeyed, tangerine, apricot, nectarine, pineapple and honeysuckle. Medium/full bodied, with freshness and lift, but lacking more of the yellow fruit I find in the best years.

On the orange side of the style range, with plenty of honeyed, tangerine, apricot, nectarine, pineapple and honeysuckle. Medium/full bodied, with freshness and lift, but lacking more of the yellow fruit I find in the best years.

4,188 Views   Tasted
2005
93
Absolutely delicious with layers of sweet, ripe, pineapple, apricot, peach, peach and honey flavors. Rich, sweet, fleshy and fresh, drink it now, drink it in a decade. This is a great value for Sauternes.

Absolutely delicious with layers of sweet, ripe, pineapple, apricot, peach, peach and honey flavors. Rich, sweet, fleshy and fresh, drink it now, drink it in a decade. This is a great value for Sauternes.

9,408 Views   Tasted
2003
92
Brimming with pineapple, apricot, vanilla, white peach and candied orange, all coated in honey, the wine is sweet, round, lush and offering a lot of charm today.

Brimming with pineapple, apricot, vanilla, white peach and candied orange, all coated in honey, the wine is sweet, round, lush and offering a lot of charm today.

4,378 Views   Tasted
2002
91
Fully developed, medium-bodied, fresh, vibrant, and focused on its core of dried apricots, marmalade, buttery orange rind spice, and butterscotch. While not deep, the wine remained fresh, vibrant, and aromatic, with a butterscotch and candied orange edge to the finish. Drink from 2022-2032.

Fully developed, medium-bodied, fresh, vibrant, and focused on its core of dried apricots, marmalade, buttery orange rind spice, and butterscotch. While not deep, the wine remained fresh, vibrant, and aromatic, with a butterscotch and candied orange edge to the finish. Drink from 2022-2032.

2,356 Views   Tasted
2001
93
Spicy, floral, orange rind, apricot, nectarine, honey and nut aromas pair perfectly with the rich, sweet, ripe sensations of honey coated, tropical fruit. Sweet, sexy, fresh and fun to drink now, this offers good value for 2001 Sauternes.

Spicy, floral, orange rind, apricot, nectarine, honey and nut aromas pair perfectly with the rich, sweet, ripe sensations of honey coated, tropical fruit. Sweet, sexy, fresh and fun to drink now, this offers good value for 2001 Sauternes.

7,294 Views   Tasted
1990
89
At the end of its best days, or perhaps slightly past that point, the wine shows more caramel, butterscotch, orange and burn toffee notes than, sweet, yellow, honeyed fruit. On the bright orange side in the finish, if you are sitting on bottles, I'd drink them up, before more of the sweet fruit slowly fades away.

At the end of its best days, or perhaps slightly past that point, the wine shows more caramel, butterscotch, orange and burn toffee notes than, sweet, yellow, honeyed fruit. On the bright orange side in the finish, if you are sitting on bottles, I'd drink them up, before more of the sweet fruit slowly fades away.

5,735 Views   Tasted
1983
91
Surprisingly strong, the concentrated, sweet, ripe and overripe, juicy pineapple, apricot, orange marmalade and assorted tropical fruits offer that majestic blend of acidity and honeyed, caramel sweetness.

Surprisingly strong, the concentrated, sweet, ripe and overripe, juicy pineapple, apricot, orange marmalade and assorted tropical fruits offer that majestic blend of acidity and honeyed, caramel sweetness.

4,057 Views   Tasted
1959
93
With a beautiful, honey orange, colored hue. Apricot, spice, vanilla, caramel, pineapple and coconut aromatics. Sexy and suave. Good concentration with a richness in the finish.

With a beautiful, honey orange, colored hue. Apricot, spice, vanilla, caramel, pineapple and coconut aromatics. Sexy and suave. Good concentration with a richness in the finish.

4,958 Views   Tasted
1937
93
Dark, molasses in color, this is all about the secondary notes of caramel, butterscotch, brown sugar, creme brulee and honeyed, vanilla and orange peel. You definitely note the age, but in a good way as there is still some sweetness and honeyed fruits, along with acidity to keep this interesting.

Dark, molasses in color, this is all about the secondary notes of caramel, butterscotch, brown sugar, creme brulee and honeyed, vanilla and orange peel. You definitely note the age, but in a good way as there is still some sweetness and honeyed fruits, along with acidity to keep this interesting.

1,455 Views   Tasted