Skip to main content

How does botrytis affect sweet wine?

Botrytis cinerea is a fungus that can affect grapes and other parts of the vine in humid conditions.  The names comes from the Greek botrys ('grape') and Latin cinerea ('ash-like', from the grey appearance of the affected grapes).  It can live through the winter as mycelium or sclerotium within dormant buds, vine bark or on plant debris on the ground.  Grapes typically become infected with Botrytis late in the season, during the sugar accumulation phase, i.e. when they are ripe.  

The more common expression of botrytis is as devastating gray rot (“pourriture gris”), a common malady of the vine, experienced in many regions.  However, in some areas, in the right conditions, a desirable botrytis infection occurs, producing what is called noble rot (“pourriture noble”).  Regions producing sweet wines influenced by botrytis cinerea include Tokaj from Hungary, Sauternes and Trockenbeerenauslese from Germany.  

A classic botrytis year might proceed on the following lines:  Humid weather in July, as the grapes are beginning to accumulate sugars, followed by hot, dry weather, shrivelling the grapes and producing a raisin-effect; followed by autumn mists, which encourage the botrytis to bloom and develop slowly.  

The mould dehydrates the grapes, leaving them shrivelled and raisin-like, and concentrates the sugars in the process, turning them from simple into complex sugars, which develop a huge range of flavours with time in bottle.  The result is a sweet wine with deep, honey-like luscious flavors.  Some of the classic aromas of developed botrytised wines are ginger, honey, beeswax and elastoplast!

A microscopic view of the filaments of botrytis cinerea mould that penetrate the grape skin, drawing out moisture and converting simple sugars into complex sugars in the process

The terroir in Sauternes is particularly suited to this process, with the Garonne and Ciron rivers producing mists in the morning, which then burn off in the warm afternoon autumn sunshine, a scene that always reminds us of Keats’ line about the “season of mellow fruitfulness”.  No other wine we can think of is able to capture more perfectly the weather of a particular year and to express it many decades later.  Currently we have some bottles of 1893 Yquem on our list that, 130 years on, still show signs of the rain and mist which affected Sauternes in October of that year.

Because the amount of juice extracted from these grapes is extremely low, it takes a lot of vines to produce a small amount of wine.  Yields in Sauternes, for instance, are often around 8-15 hectolitres per hectare (compared with 35-45 hl/ha for comparable red Bordeaux estates).

Below, you will find some of the Sauternes from our list.

WHITE 1893 1 bottle Château d'Yquem 75cl £4,800 per bottle Château d'Yquem
1893 / 1 bottle / 75cl
£4,800 per bottle
DP
WHITE 1900 1 bottle Château d'Yquem 75cl £6,800 per bottle Château d'Yquem
1900 / 1 bottle / 75cl
£6,800 per bottle
DP
WHITE 1941 1 bottle Château d'Yquem 75cl £1,250 per bottle Château d'Yquem
1941 / 1 bottle / 75cl
£1,250 per bottle
DP
WHITE 1942 1 bottle Château d'Yquem 75cl £2,400 per bottle Château d'Yquem
1942 / 1 bottle / 75cl
£2,400 per bottle
DP
WHITE 1947 1 bottle Château d'Yquem 75cl £3,300 per bottle Château d'Yquem
1947 / 1 bottle / 75cl
£3,300 per bottle
DP
WHITE 1949 1 bottle Château d'Yquem 75cl £1,700 per bottle Château d'Yquem
1949 / 1 bottle / 75cl
£1,700 per bottle
DP
WHITE 1958 1 bottle Château d'Yquem 75cl £1,050 per bottle Château d'Yquem
1958 / 1 bottle / 75cl
£1,050 per bottle
DP
WHITE 1966 1 bottle Château d'Yquem 75cl £795 per bottle Château d'Yquem
1966 / 1 bottle / 75cl
£795 per bottle
DP
WHITE 1967 3 bottles Château Suduiraut 75cl £280 per bottle Château Suduiraut
1967 / 3 bottles / 75cl
£280 per bottle
DP
WHITE 1971 1 bottle Château d'Yquem 75cl £780 per bottle Château d'Yquem
1971 / 1 bottle / 75cl
£780 per bottle
DP
WHITE 1975 1 bottle Château d'Yquem 75cl £495 per bottle Château d'Yquem
1975 / 1 bottle / 75cl
£495 per bottle
DP
WHITE 1975 1 case Château d'Yquem 75cl £10,500 per case of 12 Château d'Yquem
1975 / 1 case / 75cl
£10,500 per case of 12
IB
WHITE 1976 1 bottle Château d'Yquem 75cl £495 per bottle Château d'Yquem
1976 / 1 bottle / 75cl
£495 per bottle
DP
WHITE 1990 1 case Château d'Yquem 75cl £3,800 per case of 12 Château d'Yquem
1990 / 1 case / 75cl
£3,800 per case of 12
IB
WHITE 2001 3 bottles Château Rieussec 75cl £120 per bottle Château Rieussec
2001 / 3 bottles / 75cl
£120 per bottle
IB
WHITE 2003 9 bottles Château Rieussec 75cl £40 per bottle Château Rieussec
2003 / 9 bottles / 75cl
£40 per bottle
IB
Tasting Notes"The 2016 Rieussec is a blend of 83% Sémillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle picked form 26 September until 4 November. It has a much more straightforward bouquet compared to the 2015 with light honeysuckle and white flower aromas. There is good acidity in the mouth thanks the passerillé berries, nicely balanced with a touch of orange zest towards the linear finish that will hopefully gain more weight during its élevage. It is likely to be an earlier-drinking Rieussec than the 2015. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, RobertParker.com "The 2016 Rieussec is gorgeous. Despite the relatively low acidity of the vintage, it preserves a good deal of aromatic freshness, with plenty of lemon confit, passion fruit and coconut overtones. The decision to lower the Sémillon a touch and increase the Sauvignon Blanc has paid handsome rewards. The 2016 is not a truly profound Sauternes - that would have been nearly impossible this vintage - but it comes close. Quite frankly, it is nearly impossible to spit. 93-96 points" vinous.com (AG) "Lots of botrytis here in addition to dried mushrooms and dried fruit such as pineapple and peaches. Medium to full body. Medium sweet. Very long and intense. A triumph. 98-99 points" jamessuckling.com
WHITE 2003 8 cases Château Rieussec Half bottle £395 per case of 24 Château Rieussec
2003 / 8 cases / Half bottle
£395 per case of 24
IB
WHITE 2004 1 case Château d'Yquem Half bottle £1,680 per case of 12 Château d'Yquem
2004 / 1 case / Half bottle
£1,680 per case of 12
DP
WHITE 2005 8 cases Château Clos Haut Peyraguey Half bottle £330 per case of 24 Château Clos Haut Peyraguey
2005 / 8 cases / Half bottle
£330 per case of 24
IB
WHITE 2005 1 case Château de Fargues 75cl £660 per case of 12 Château de Fargues
2005 / 1 case / 75cl
£660 per case of 12
IB
WHITE 2005 8 cases Château de Fargues Half bottle £695 per case of 24 Château de Fargues
2005 / 8 cases / Half bottle
£695 per case of 24
IB
WHITE 2005 2 cases Château Guiraud 75cl £395 per case of 12 Château Guiraud
2005 / 2 cases / 75cl
£395 per case of 12
IB
WHITE 2005 2 cases Château Guiraud Half bottle £420 per case of 24 Château Guiraud
2005 / 2 cases / Half bottle
£420 per case of 24
IB
WHITE 2005 1 case Château Raymond Lafon 75cl £440 per case of 12 Château Raymond Lafon
2005 / 1 case / 75cl
£440 per case of 12
IB
WHITE 2005 3 cases Château Raymond Lafon Half bottle £450 per case of 24 Château Raymond Lafon
2005 / 3 cases / Half bottle
£450 per case of 24
IB
WHITE 2005 3 cases Château Rayne Vigneau 75cl £340 per case of 12 Château Rayne Vigneau
2005 / 3 cases / 75cl
£340 per case of 12
IB
WHITE 2005 10 cases Château Rayne Vigneau Half bottle £360 per case of 24 Château Rayne Vigneau
2005 / 10 cases / Half bottle
£360 per case of 24
IB
WHITE 2005 1 case Château Suduiraut 75cl £520 per case of 12 Château Suduiraut
2005 / 1 case / 75cl
£520 per case of 12
IB
WHITE 2006 2 cases Château de Fargues Half bottle £660 per case of 24 Château de Fargues
2006 / 2 cases / Half bottle
£660 per case of 24
IB
WHITE 2007 2 cases Château Doisy Vedrines Half bottle £260 per case of 24 Château Doisy Vedrines
2007 / 2 cases / Half bottle
£260 per case of 24
IB
WHITE 2007 1 case Château Suduiraut 75cl £395 per case of 12 Château Suduiraut
2007 / 1 case / 75cl
£395 per case of 12
IB
WHITE 2009 2 cases Château Clos Haut Peyraguey 75cl £350 per case of 12 Château Clos Haut Peyraguey
2009 / 2 cases / 75cl
£350 per case of 12
IB
WHITE 2009 2 cases Château Clos Haut Peyraguey Half bottle £370 per case of 24 Château Clos Haut Peyraguey
2009 / 2 cases / Half bottle
£370 per case of 24
IB
WHITE 2009 2 cases Château Doisy Daene 75cl £295 per case of 12 Château Doisy Daene
2009 / 2 cases / 75cl
£295 per case of 12
IB
WHITE 2009 3 cases Château Doisy Daene Half bottle £320 per case of 24 Château Doisy Daene
2009 / 3 cases / Half bottle
£320 per case of 24
DP
WHITE 2009 3 cases Château Guiraud Half bottle £495 per case of 24 Château Guiraud
2009 / 3 cases / Half bottle
£495 per case of 24
IB
WHITE 2009 2 cases Château Raymond Lafon Half bottle £320 per case of 24 Château Raymond Lafon
2009 / 2 cases / Half bottle
£320 per case of 24
IB
WHITE 2009 2 cases Château Rayne Vigneau 75cl £380 per case of 12 Château Rayne Vigneau
2009 / 2 cases / 75cl
£380 per case of 12
IB
WHITE 2009 3 cases Château Rayne Vigneau Half bottle £395 per case of 24 Château Rayne Vigneau
2009 / 3 cases / Half bottle
£395 per case of 24
IB
WHITE 2009 7 cases Château Sigalas Rabaud Half bottle £210 per case of 12 Château Sigalas Rabaud
2009 / 7 cases / Half bottle
£210 per case of 12
IB
WHITE 2009 1 case Château Sigalas Rabaud 75cl £330 per case of 12 Château Sigalas Rabaud
2009 / 1 case / 75cl
£330 per case of 12
IB
WHITE 2009 1 case Château Suduiraut 75cl £600 per case of 12 Château Suduiraut
2009 / 1 case / 75cl
£600 per case of 12
IB
WHITE 2009 2 cases Château Suduiraut Half bottle £600 per case of 24 Château Suduiraut
2009 / 2 cases / Half bottle
£600 per case of 24
IB
WHITE 2010 1 case Château Guiraud 75cl £380 per case of 12 Château Guiraud
2010 / 1 case / 75cl
£380 per case of 12
IB
WHITE 2010 2 cases Château Raymond Lafon 75cl £340 per case of 12 Château Raymond Lafon
2010 / 2 cases / 75cl
£340 per case of 12
IB
WHITE 2011 1 case Château Raymond Lafon Half bottle £295 per case of 24 Château Raymond Lafon
2011 / 1 case / Half bottle
£295 per case of 24
IB
WHITE 2016 4 cases Château Rieussec 75cl £175 per case of 6 Château Rieussec
2016 / 4 cases / 75cl
£175 per case of 6
IB
Tasting Notes"The 2016 Rieussec is a blend of 83% Sémillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle picked form 26 September until 4 November. It has a much more straightforward bouquet compared to the 2015 with light honeysuckle and white flower aromas. There is good acidity in the mouth thanks the passerillé berries, nicely balanced with a touch of orange zest towards the linear finish that will hopefully gain more weight during its élevage. It is likely to be an earlier-drinking Rieussec than the 2015. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, RobertParker.com "The 2016 Rieussec is gorgeous. Despite the relatively low acidity of the vintage, it preserves a good deal of aromatic freshness, with plenty of lemon confit, passion fruit and coconut overtones. The decision to lower the Sémillon a touch and increase the Sauvignon Blanc has paid handsome rewards. The 2016 is not a truly profound Sauternes - that would have been nearly impossible this vintage - but it comes close. Quite frankly, it is nearly impossible to spit. 93-96 points" vinous.com (AG) "Lots of botrytis here in addition to dried mushrooms and dried fruit such as pineapple and peaches. Medium to full body. Medium sweet. Very long and intense. A triumph. 98-99 points" jamessuckling.com
WHITE 2018 1 case Château d'Yquem 75cl £1,440 per case of 6 Château d'Yquem
2018 / 1 case / 75cl
£1,440 per case of 6
IB
WHITE 2019 1 case Château Rieussec 75cl £330 per case of 4 Château Rieussec
2019 / 1 case / 75cl
£330 per case of 4
IB
Tasting Notes"Pale lemon-gold in color, the 2019 Rieussec flaunts a delicately scented nose of fresh grapefruit, lemon curd, lime leaves and clover honey with wafts of jasmine, white truffles and nutmeg. The palate slowly builds, revealing layers of apple and citrus fruits with loads of savory accents, framed by refreshing acidity and a seductively oily texture, finishing on a lingering honey-nut note. 94-96 points." Lisa Perotti-Brown MW, The Wine Advocate------"Expertly constructed, with luxuriously intense pineapple, mango and apricot pit flavours matched step for step by bitter orange peel, lime juice and tingling grated ginger. Sauternes doesn't always manage to deliver such a mouth-watering mix of satin texture set against pinpoint acidity, but the late harvest 2019 - botrytis arrived when the nights were cool - made for some exceptionally successful wines in the appellation, even if yields were tiny. This is a delicious Rieussec, full of personality, and its 120g/l residual sugar leaves its trace in texture rather than in weight. First year of organic certification. 96 points" Janeanson.com

Cookie Notice

COOKIE NOTICE

Find out more about how this website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience.

Back to top