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Pierre Meslier and his daughter Marie-Francoise (left/up)                           Botrytis cinerea in full flavour - Raymond Lafon in September 2004 (right/down)

Botrytised grapes look extraordinary at Raymond Lafon  in October 2009

This property got its name from its first owner. The present one, Pierre Meslier (who worked at d’Yquem as manager), bought Raymond Lafon in 1972.
There are 18 ha of vines situated in Sauternes commune, surrounded by so famous names like Lafaurie Peyraguey, d’Yquem and Suduiraut. Soil here is gravely on the surface and contains a mix of clay and limestones. The cépage is classic for Sauternes & Barsac – 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, vines are on average 35 years old, yield per ha is only 8.5 hl (!) and the wine matures in new barrels for 3 years.
A perfect example, that Raymond Lafon aims more towards quality than quantity, is the fact that only grapes with sugar content corresponding to potential of 19-21% alcohol are harvested. Another sign of ruthless selection is, that 20-100% (!) of the harvest is declassified every year, according to the quality of the vintage.
Raymond Lafon is close to d’Yquem concerning the style, and one of the most stable and demanded wines in the district. For me, Raymond Lafon is among the five best sweet wines in Bordeaux and represents an excellent value for the money.

Raymond Lafon 2008 (barrel sample) 93-95p

Tasted twice - last time in October 2009. Consistent notes.This wine showed an elegant and sophisticated side of itself with acidity matching fruit sweetness perfectly. Pineapple and acacia flower  flavours. Lovely structure and great style. A bit lighter than 2007.

Raymond Lafon 2007 (barrel sample) 95-96p

Tasted four times - last time in October 2009. Consistent notes. Strong botrytised aromas of lemon, grapefruit, orange peel and citrus, strong and powerful on the palate, mineral, beautiful acidity and honeyed aftertaste. Impressive wine for the vintage. 

Raymond Lafon 2006 93p

Tasted three times - last time in October 2009. Catchy aromas of acacia flower/honey, nutty flavours (reduction - mature flavours), very fine acidity and fine balance. Lovely structure and fine concentration. Elegant and seductive wine for 10-15 more years of cellaring

Raymond Lafon 2005 96p

Raymond Lafon 2004 95p

Tasted four times - last time in April 2008. Consistent notes. Only 1/3 of entire harvest went into Grand Vin - grapes were picked between 27th September and 7th October. It possessed extremely fine botrytis and intense aromatic nose of apricot, honey melon and acacia honey. On the palate, this wine was very deep, sophisticated and extremely complex. Acidity in this wine was simply stunning and perfect partner to excellent fruit. This is stunning wine and exceptional piece of work. Kudos to Pierre Meslier!!!

Raymond Lafon 2003 99-100p

Tasted three times - last time in October 2008. Pure extravaganza.  Light golden, extremely intense tropical fruit aromas, botrytis was simply fantastic with incredible depth and intensity. It was extremely sophisticated and refined on the palate with gobs of nuances and 2 minutes aftertaste. 99.9% of entire harvest became Grand Vin. Wow - this one is close to be a legend!!!

Raymond Lafon 2002 92p

Tasted three times - last time in April 2006. Consistent notes. 80% of entire harvest went into Grand Vin. Light golden, quite similar to 2004 in style, but with less intensity, not same fine structure and not same length on the palate. Nevertheless, this wine gives you a lot of satisfaction with nice creamy texture, elegance and finesse. A remarkable and fine example of meticulous work at Raymond Lafon. Will keep nicely for at least 8-10 years.

Raymond Lafon 2001 98p

Tasted six times - last time in October 2008. Consistent notes. This wine is a masterpiece and I call it "nectar of the Gods." What a sublime, rich and wonderfully knitted wine with botrytis, sweetness, balance and acidity of highest quality grade. Fantastic purity. Will easily keep for 20+ years.

Raymond Lafon 2000 90p

Tasted in April 2003. Not unlike 1996, but lighter and sweeter. Anyway a wine to enjoy, before big vintages will be ready to drink.

Raymond Lafon 1999 95p

Tasted in April 2003. Pure delight! Fabulous botrytis, both sweet and “sour” at the same time. Incredibly nuanced rich and sophisticated. What a length and structure. Will provide a lot of pleasure for the next 10 years. 

Raymond Lafon 1998 94p

Tasted in April 2003. This wine looks almost as an exact copy of 1997. Slightly less perfect botrytis but other ingredients are of same staggering quality. This is a true delicacy for Sauternes freaks.

Raymond Lafon 1997 97p

Tasted twice - last time in October 2008. Consistent notes. Wow, wow, how stunning this wine is! Perfect botrytis, perfect balance, acacia, mango and melon. Extremely complex and sophisticated. This wine is so classic that you must clap your hands. Pure elixir. Long-lived – at least until 2017.

Raymond Lafon 1990 95p

Tasted in October 2008. Quite alcoholic, botrytised lemon and citrus aromas, acacia flower, spledid intensity of flavours on the nose, deep and full on the palate, long and refined. Classic example of Raymond Lafon, although in heavier "dress" than usual. At least 10 years more to go.

Raymond Lafon 1988 96p

Tasted in October 2008. This is one of my favourite vintages in Sauternes - extremely well-balanced, purely elegant, sophisticated and refined. Raymond Lafon suited this description perfectly in October 2008 and had very strong aromas of mandarins and candied fruit. On the palate, candied orange peel and citrus peel were supported in extremely fine way by acidity. A long time keeper due to its extraordinary balance - 10-15 years more from now.

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