2020 Ch Filhot 2nd Grand Cru Half Bottle 375ml, Sauternes

Light golden yellow, silver reflections. Attractive white tropical fruit, hints of yellow gooseberry, delicate wood savouriness, fine honeyed touch. Taut, almost riesling peach fruit, good acidity, limes in the finish, salty touch, well lasting, passion fruit in the finish, good aging certain ageing potential, roasted pineapple in the finish.

94 points Falstaff

The 2020 Filhot has a pale lemon-straw color. It springs from the glass with vivacious notions of baked apples, peach preserves, and lime leaves, with hints of parrafin wax, wild fungi, and powdered ginger. The palate is rich and seductive, with a lively backbone and a nicely balanced, earthy finish.

93 points LPB thewineindependant.com

Bright and cheerful this has some really delicious sappy fruits, some sweet apricot in the mid palate, this is enjoyable, has managed to keep pace and lift in a difficult vintage for the appellation. Drinking Window 2022 - 2034

92 points Jane Anson decanter.com

Tucked into Sauternes alongside some of the region’s most famous names, Château Filhot has been crafting sweet wines since the 1700s, earning its place as a Second Growth in the 1855 classification. Set on gravelly soils with a touch of clay, the vineyards benefit from the misty mornings and warm afternoons that encourage noble rot, concentrating sugars while preserving freshness.

There’s a lovely balance here between richness and lift. Aromas lean into apricot, orange marmalade and honey, with layers of candied citrus peel, ginger and a gentle floral note. It feels opulent, but never heavy.

The texture is where it really shines. Luscious and mouth coating, yet kept in check by a line of acidity that stops it from becoming cloying. Flavours of stone fruit, toffee and spice build gradually, with a finish that lingers on citrus, honey and a faint nutty edge.

This is a brilliant match for food that plays with sweetness and contrast. Foie gras is the classic, but it’s just as compelling with blue cheese, tarte tatin or even a dish like roast pumpkin with honey and thyme. It can also handle spice, working surprisingly well alongside dishes with a bit of heat.

Drinking beautifully now, though it will continue to evolve for decades, gaining more complexity and depth over time.

There’s a quiet refinement here, a Sauternes that delivers all the richness you want, balanced by freshness that keeps you coming back for another sip.