Chateau Filhot Sauternes HALF BOTTLE

A classic from a historical estate with second growth classification. It’s full bright, ripe fruits, honey and a sweet spice but perfectly balanced by a fresh acidity.

Sauternes, France.

13.5%

37.5cl

Please note: technical information such as vintage and ABV are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please get in touch.

MORE INFORMATION

Producer

The Château FILHOT was fonded in 1709 by Romain de FILHOT and is now owned and managed by one of his descendants: count Henri de Vaucelles. The estate covers an area of 350 hectares with 62 hectares of vineyard all along the south of the Sauternes village in the Sauternes appellation.

The vineyard was awarded the ‘Second Cru Classification’ according to the 1855 official classification suggested to Napoleon III by the Negociants and the Chamber of Commerce of Bordeaux. From then on the wine Chateau FILHOT was universally diffused under the name of Chateau Sauternes until the end of the 19th century.

The estate was given back the title of Chateau FILHOT in 1901. In 1935, the Countess Durieu de Lacarelle, born Lur-Saluces, bought the vineyard from her brother. Her son, Louis Durieu de Lacarelle restored and expanded the vineyard until the 1970s.

Viticulture

The 62 hectares of vines of the château Filhot are planted with Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. The hillsides face towards the south or the south-west and consist of gravels, clay and sand on calcareous base. They are bordered by the Landes forest and are crossed by Ciron (small local river) which creates the ideal microclimate for the development of the botrytis cinerea on the grapes.

The harvest is made with successive selections depending on the maturatity of the grapes and the development of the noble rot (botrytis cinerea). This long work of selection gives low yield- about 10 to 20 hl/ha depending on the year.

Winemaking

60% Sémillon, 36% Sauvignon, 4% Muscadelle. After a slow pressing, the juice is lightly extracted and fermented in stainless steel tanks during two weeks to one month. To protect the fragile flavours, the temperature of the fermentation is controlled to stay between 19 et 21 degrés C. Following the fermentation, the wine will spend from 20 to 24 months ageing in French oak barrels with around 1/3 being new barrels cellar maturity before bottling.

Taste

Excellently balanced, there’s flavours of bright citrus, ripe apricots, pineapple and delicate baking spice. Sweet pastry, lemon curd and honey add a sweetness that makes it lush and full of flavours but a fresh acidity gives it plenty of complexity.

Food Pairing

A classic with a blue cheese and excellent for fruit based desserts or Almond cake, However, it’s more versatile than you might think! Try with roast chicken, pork or meaty seafoods, Asian spiced dishes or cured meats. For a decandant pairing, foie gras.