695. Château Laville, Sauternes, 2001

£??; 13.5%

The finishers’ gift for completing the Marathon du Médoc – and turned out to be one of the highlights of Christmas 2012 at Andy and Sarah’s. Though a minor estate, the quality of 2001 showed through in this perfectly-mature Sauternes. Deep gold with copper glints. Pronounced nose led by beeswax, honey and then taking a more background role, ginger and roast peach botrytis. Full-bodied, medium+ acidity to balance the full sweetness. More honey, apricot, creamy vanilla and ginger through the long finish. Pretty good with Xmas pud, and predictably good with Roquefort!