Chateau Gilette 1996
“Château Gilette is de facto a great Sauternes. It truly does age at its own glacial pace; sometimes suggesting a mixture of a fine mature Alsace intermixed with Sauternes. Sure, it is a bit “mad” in its own way, but that is part of its enigma and charm, what makes this anomalous Sauternes so alluring. And Gilette still has that succession of wonderful Sauternes vintages to come.” – Neal Martin
$2,900
The vintage
Winery
Chateau GiletteAppellation & Region
Sauternes, BordeauxBlend
94% Sémillon, 4% Sauvignon Blanc, 2% MuscadelleSoil
Gravel and sand on blocks of sandstoneAlcohol Content
14%Vineyards & Vinification
The Gilette vineyard is just over 4.5 hectares in the center of the village of Preignac, with vines planted back in 1930. The walled vineyard protects the grapes and allows for botrytis. No plots are pulled up and no vines replaced unless one-by-one, as the old plants die out. The oldest vines are almost all Sémillon and planted in the 1930s.
The grapes are pressed very gently, and the must goes straight into stainless steel vats where it is stored, without oxygenation, for 15 to 18 years. Then wine is bottled and held in the cellar for another three to five years before release. No oak casks or barrels are used for either fermentation or maturation. The wines are never chaptalized. In years when Château Gilette is not made, the grapes are sold off in bulk. Yields are minuscule and total production is around 5000 bottles a year.
In the press
"Château Gilette is de facto a great Sauternes. It truly does age at its own glacial pace; sometimes suggesting a mixture of a fine mature Alsace intermixed with Sauternes. Sure, it is a bit "mad" in its own way, but that is part of its enigma and charm, what makes this anomalous Sauternes so alluring. And Gilette still has that succession of wonderful Sauternes vintages to come." — Neal Martin
The Winery
Chateau Gilette’s wine offers a luxurious and unforgettable tasting experience. Sometimes referred to as the “unicorn” of wines, it most certainly is a unique gem among Sauternes wines.
The 4.5-hectare Château Gilette is a renowned estate located in the commune of Preignac, within the Sauternes appellation. Situated in the village center, the vineyard boasts sandy pebble soils over calcareous subsoils and is surrounded by walls, creating a unique microclimate conducive to the growth of Botrytis cinerea. The vineyard is planted with 90% Sémillon, 8% Sauvignon Blanc, and a small amount of Muscadelle, an aromatic variety that adds perfume and texture. The viticulture follows traditional organic practices, although it is not certified.
In the 1930s, Julie’s grandfather, René de Médeville, faced economic challenges in Bordeaux due to the Great Depression and opted to use concrete vats instead of expensive barrels. During World War II, René advised his wife to leave the wines in the vats, leading to an extended aging period. Upon his return, he noticed the wines were maturing slowly and developing complex aromas. Since then, the Médeville family has aged their Sauternes in concrete vats for decades, creating one of the region’s most distinctive wines.
Julie Médeville continues to follow the traditional winemaking methods established by her grandfather. Grape selection is meticulous, involving several rounds of picking, a common practice at the best Sauternes estates. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats, followed by aging in hermetically sealed concrete vats for an average of 20 years.
Despite their long aging, Gilette’s wines maintain a notable freshness, with a balanced sweetness. This extended aging process imparts a unique sweet-bitter balance and enhances complexity. The wines exhibit fully mature, expressive aromas and a rich texture while retaining a fresh, lively profile.
