Château Guiraud is the only Sauternes first growth (along with château Yquem) in the commune of Sauternes.

The 100 hectare vineyard has a complex terroir consisting of gravel, red sand, and chalk. Guiraud was fairly mediocre until 1981, when it was acquired by Canadian Frank Narby who sparked a renaissance. Major investments were made at the time in order for this wine to regain its lost reputation, and consideration in keeping with its official classification in 1855.

Standards were raised significantly under the management of Xavier Planty, who introduced integrated pest control, prohibited chaptalization and cryoextraction, and improved barrel aging. These various measures led to much better wine.

Fifteeen percent of the vineyard is devoted to making "G" , an interesting dry white wine. In 2006, the estate was bought by a financial holding company with a majority shareholding held by the Peugeot family. The presence of Olivier Bernard (Domaine de Chevalier), Stephan von Neipperg (Château Canon la Gaffelière, La Mondotte, etc.), and Xavier Planty (current manager) among the group of buyers seems destined to ensure the new owners' ambitions.

In the Bottle

Guiraud has succeeded in producing some sublime vintages since the 1980s. Almost at its peak, the 1986 is a perfect example of the wine Xavier Planty strives to make, as is Guiraud 1990. More recently, this estate is especially successful in decent vintages such as 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002 (as well as 2006, which is truly excellent).

Guiraud is particularly worthwhile in such years as it represents remarkable value for money, for quality that almost deserves 4 stars. This having been said, and despite Guiraud's wonderful quality in fine recent vintages (2005, 2003, 2001, 1997, and 1995), the estate is not quite up to the same standard as some of its peers.

Lovers of full-bodied, sweet wines with ripe fruit aromas generally greatly appreciate its hedonistic style.

Pre-1983 vintages are, however, uninteresting.

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Guiraud, Le Dauphin de Guiraud (second wine),