2005 Chateau des Graves du Tich
Sainte Croix Du Mont
Recommended by the wine shop salesman as I stared longingly at a 2000 Yquem.
Color: Light gold.
Nose: Strong nose of honey and citrus.
Taste: Silky mouth feel. Very nice, but lighter than the Sauternes. Initially lots of honey, brown sugar and apricot which gives way to some citrus fruit. The finish is a nice caramel that lingers of several minutes. There are some mineral notes hiding in the background as well. Enought heft in the wine that it should age nicely. A very tasty dessert wine coming in at 13.5% alcohol.
Lacks the complexity and vicosity of the better Sauternes I have tasted. But get this, the 750 ml bottle was $18! This wine is a steal at that price. From the wine atlas it appears the SCDM is just across the river from Yquem. For whatever reason I had never heard of the area before. Definitely worth checking out.