Vintage Chart Sauternes
Sauternes is the undisputed king of sweet wines. Botrytis-concentrated Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc produce wines that can age for decades — sometimes a century. This overview shows the best vintages.
| Vintage | Score | Character | Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 92 | Ample botrytis, low yields, excellent quality | 7 wines |
| 2023 | 95 | Excellent, structured, built for the cellar | 15 wines |
| 2022 | 94 | Heat year but beautiful concentrated botrytis | 15 wines |
| 2021 | 89 | Cooler year, fresher, lighter style | 11 wines |
| 2020 | 89 | Good botrytis despite a dry summer | 9 wines |
| 2019 | 91 | Fresh, well-balanced, classic proportions | 14 wines |
| 2018 | 89 | Warm year, ripe and generous style | 9 wines |
| 2017 | 91 | Frost-reduced yields, elegant surviving fruit | 11 wines |
| 2016 | 90 | Good, balanced, medium-term drinking window | 11 wines |
| 2015 | 94 | Rich, concentrated, superb aging potential | 8 wines |
| 2014 | 95 | Outstanding, lemony botrytis, vibrant acidity | 9 wines |
| 2013 | 93 | Solid, structured, needs patient cellaring | 5 wines |
| 2012 | 86 | Difficult, thin crop, modest quality | 4 wines |
| 2011 | 96 | Opulent yet light-footed and precise | 11 wines |
| 2010 | 94 | Discreet, ageworthy, high-acid precision | 6 wines |
| 2009 | 97 | Decadent, opulent, among the greatest modern years | 13 wines |
| 2007 | 93 | Excellent botrytis, precise and vibrant | 11 wines |
| 2005 | 92 | Classic power and elegance combined | 8 wines |
| 2003 | 94 | Extraordinarily rich, rare high sugar levels | 10 wines |
| 2001 | 98 | Perfect botrytis, legendary 100-point Yquem year | 16 wines |
| 1999 | 90 | Good, forward, drink rather than hold | 16 wines |
| 1997 | 92 | Rich botrytis, generous and rounded | 6 wines |
| 1996 | 89 | Solid, fresh, reliably well-balanced | 10 wines |
| 1990 | 97 | Excellent, hot year, sensual concentrated power | 16 wines |
| 1989 | 95 | Majestic, early harvest, near-perfect richness | 13 wines |
| 1988 | 94 | Hailed 'vintage of the century,' pure finesse | 9 wines |
| 1986 | 92 | Long-lived, powerful, still drinking beautifully | 7 wines |
| 1983 | 95 | Best appellation vintage, powerful and pure | 3 wines |
| 1976 | 93 | Honeyed, full-bodied despite tricky weather | 1 wine |
| 1975 | 94 | Rich, structured, aged gracefully for decades | 5 wines |
| 1971 | 91 | Solid, classic, reliably long-lived | 2 wines |
| 1967 | 96 | Yquem legendary, uneven beyond the icon | 2 wines |
| 1959 | 98 | Celebrated 'vintage of the century,' power | 2 wines |
| 1949 | 95 | Elegant, subtle, Climens rivaled Yquem | — |
| 1947 | 96 | Best post-war vintage, lush and pure | 1 wine |
| 1945 | 99 | Monumental 'national vintage,' flawless concentration | — |
| 1937 | 97 | Legendary richness, rivals 1945 in stature | 1 wine |
| 1929 | 96 | Sumptuous, opulent, among the greatest ever | — |
| 1921 | 97 | Near-mythical, Yquem's legendary benchmark year | — |
Sources: Wine Spectator — Sauternes and Barsac Vintage Charts, Decanter — Sauternes and Barsac Vintage Guide, Jancis Robinson — Bordeaux Sweet Wine Vintage Chart, Comptoir des Millésimes — Best vintages of Bordeaux sweet wines