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Chateau Raymond Lafon



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Sauternes – Barsac AOC

In the heart of the most famous Sauternes vineyards, the estate enjoys a remarkable exposure and combines the best conditions to produce a very great Sauternes wine.

Grappe Varieties:

80% Semillion – 20% Sauvignon

Vineyard:

The story of Chateau Coutet began in 1643, a succession of owners handled the estate until it was taken over by Marcel Bay and his sons. They established a long-term commitment to restore and re-plant the vineyard, optimize all the work processes and operations, and rebuild the cellar and  the winery. The 35-year old vine benefits from a chalky-clay soil spread on 96 acres. Severe pruning of the vines and harshness of the care given to them contribute to a quite low production. The Sémillon vine variety provides the wine with its beautiful golden color, its clearness, its finesse, its vigor and its mellowness. As for the Sauvignon vine variety, it yields a quite superb, full-bodied and very flavorful wine that also is a lovely golden color. This variety is pruned just as harshly, in the six buds Guyot simple fashion.

Winemaking:

It necessary to harvest manually grape by grape by successive selective pickings,  (3 to 10 botrytized grapes) and to pick only those grapes that have attained the desired concentration in order to reach the highest quality grapes. Sometimes, the quantity of picked grapes will produce, after pressing, no more than a single small oak barrel of must. Fermentation begins naturally and lasts three to five weeks at a constant temperature of approximately 68°F. The harvested grapes have a sugar content equivalent to 19-21% potential alcohol ; these grapes could be capable of producing a wine containing 19-21% alcohol, if the yeasts were able to convert all of the sugar content in each grape berry. Fermentation ends at approximately 13,5% alcohol under the effect of botryticine. This anti-fermentation agent produced by the “noble rot” kills the yeasts at this stage of fermentation which thus stops naturally. Considering that the harvest takes place in late summer and early autumn, it is often necessary to heat the winery in order to ensure proper fermentation. Aging last 3 years in barrel made of hand-split oak staves. Thanks to the wood tannins, these wines will develop a better structure and acquire very appealing vanilla aromas. The wood constitutes an “ideal spot” for the transformations of the wine’s components.

Tasting Note:

Under a beautiful yellow robe, you will discover a traditional Sauternes fine and unctuous, very long in the mouth with, according to the vintages, grapefruit, pineapple, banana, vanilla, apricot, candied lemon, or even spice, prune or honey. Exotic flavors are waiting for you

Food Pairing:

To be served cold, this Sauternes will be delighted alongside with seafood such as lobster or shellfish. Loyal friend of Foie Gras, it can be bold to pair it with asian cuisine.

Rating:

Vintage 2016: 96 Wine Enthusiast  94-95 James Suckling

Vintage 2017: 96 Wine Enthusiast

Location

4 au puits, 33210 Sauternes, France
Additional information
Appellation

Sauternes-Barsac

Country

France

Region

Wine type

White wine

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