A refined and complex Sauternes Premier Grand Cru Classé
The estate
"La Maison Noble du Bayle", the first name of Château Guiraud, was owned by the Mons de Saint Poly family. In 1766 Pierre Guiraud, a Bordeaux merchant, acquired the estate. 80 years and three generations later, Château Guiraud has become a prestigious name, bestowed as the 1st Grand Cru Classé of Sauternes in 1855.
Taken over in 2006 by four figures (an industrialist, Robert Peugeot, and three winegrowers, Olivier Bernard, Stephan Von Neipperg and Xavier Planty), Château Guiraud is an essential reference.
The vineyard
Château Guiraud 2014 stems from an 85-hectare vineyard that rests on sandy gravel (80%) and clay gravel (20%) soils. The vines, which are 25 to 30 years old on average, are planted in a biodiverse setting and have been managed organically since 1996. These features lead to the production of a fine Sauternes wines.
The wine
In 2011, Château Guiraud was the first of the 1st 1855 Grands Crus Classés to receive an organic farming certificate. The 2014 vintage is the fourth organic vintage.
The vintage
The mild winter favoured an early flowering period, before proceeding to a particularly cool spring and summer. The sunshine and heat set in from the end of August until the harvest, ideal conditions which enabled the vineyard to refine the grapes’ ripeness levels. The manual harvest took place in 4 selections from September 17th to October 29th. Despite low yields, Château Guiraud 2014 exudes an alluring freshness, tension, balance and aromatic purity.
Vinification and ageing
The hand-picked grapes are rigorously sorted to keep only those that showcase the highest quality. Fermentation lasts 3 to 6 weeks and is carried out in oak barrels, 90% of which are new and 10% are second-fill barrels. The wine is aged in barrels for 18 to 24 months.
The blend
Sémillon (65%)
Sauvignon Blanc (35%).
Château Guiraud 2014: Characteristics and tasting tips
The tasting
Colour
The colour is a beautiful golden yellow.
Nose
Fresh and taut, the nose mixes spicy fragrances (ginger, white pepper) and candied lemon with exotic notes of pineapple and mango.
Palate
Precise, aerial and balanced, the gourmet palate stretches out and leads to a long finish.
Composed of 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc, the pale lemon-gold colored 2014 Guiraud opens with notes of honeyed apricots, lemon marmalade and beeswax followed by touches of musk perfume and lightly browned toast. The palate is wonderfully refreshing with plenty of zippy citrus fruit and a long perfumed finish.