Sauternes are characterized by the balance of sweetness with the zest of acidity. Some common flavor notes include
apricots,
honey,
peaches but with a nutty note, which is a typical characteristic of noble semillon itself (cf. Australian noble (late-harvest) semillon). The
finish can resonate on the palate for several minutes. Sauternes are some of longest-lived wines, with premium examples from exceptional vintages properly kept having the potential to age well even beyond 100 years.
[6] Sauternes typically starts out with a golden, yellow color that becomes progressively darker as it ages. Some wine experts, like Ed McCarthy and
Master of Wine Mary Ewing-Mulligan, believe that only once the wine reaches the color of an old
copper coin has it started to develop its more complex and mature flavors.
[1]