Medium gold. Deep pure honeysuckle , acacia, with just a hint of coconut nose. Medium plus bodied with layered white fruits and honey tones. Very well balanced with no edges whatsoever. Nice long lightly acidic finish that doesn't leave any essense of being cloying. In fact, while the sugar is obvious, this is not one of the more sweet Sauternes by any stretch. Very well done, all the way around, but lacks the complexity of the very top level of Sauternes. Should last a good many more years. 94 pts. PC is currently offering this pre-arrival for $80, not a bad price IMHO.

I used to get this and the 1983 for $65 each from Chalone Shareholder Cellars prior to the Diageo takeover - personally I prefer the 88 to the 83, even though I think the latter got a higher rating.

Holding nicely. Needed a half hour to come together in the glass, but showed carmelized citrus flavors with a creme brulee finish. Good acidity, and picked up weight after a bit of air. Perfect with fruit sorbets, or by itself.