2018 Sigalas Rabaud
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Sigalas Rabaul has closed down since I retested from bottle, with touches of marmalade, Seville oranges and apricot, though it needs a lot of aeration to eke out those scents. The palate is nicely balanced with a gorgeous, unctuous texture matched by a keen line of acidity. Caramelized pear mixed with apricots and Clementines appears on the finish, yet it lacks the mineralité of the finest vintages. Tasted from a bottle sent directly from Sigalas Rabaud to the UK.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Satin texture and very sweet with some acidity. But still a bit simple. Solid rather than inspiring. (JR)
A challenging vintage in Sauternes because the stubbornly hot and dry weather over the summer and into September meant that botrytis only arrived late, after intense concentration of the berries. But this is a standout choice, silky and seductive in texture, with lemon curd and juicy baked nectarine layered with patisserie cream, with a kick of gunsmoke and lime zest coming roaring in on the finish.
The 2018 Sigalas Rabaud has an impressive bouquet of orange peel, marmalade, quince and apricot scents that burst from the glass. The palate is very well defined with a viscous opening. Marmalade and quince vie for attention, and almond and mango appear toward the well-defined finish. This is very pure and thoroughly enjoyable.