2003 Rabaud Promis

Ex-chateau bottle tasted blind in Sauternes. This bottle of Rabaud Promis is better than the one I encountered last year during the vertical at the property. Here, it has an attractive, Aszu-like bouquet with touches of fresh apricot, almond and hints of marmalade that unfold in the glass. Here, there is better delineation than previous bottles. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh quince on the entry. This demonstrates much better balance and focus than its peers with a delightful citrus freshness on the marmalade-tinged finish. Tasted April 2013.

Yellow-gold. Exotic orange marmalade and marzipan aromas suggest a strong botrytis element; complicating notes of sauteed pineapple, baking spices and honeycomb. Then very sweet, pure and spicy on the palate. Not yet especially complex but I like its freshness and structure. Finishes with sneaky persistence.

Medium yellow-gold. Exotic aromas of apricot, pineapple and honey. Sweet and suave on entry, then intenselyflavored and penetrating in the middle. This has beautiful fruit and terrific concentration but is not hugely fleshy. Impressively dense and long on the back.