Chateau Lamourette 2016 Sauternes 375ml

Grapes: Semillon

Appellation: Sauternes, Bordeaux, France

Style: Dessert Wine

Tasting notes: Marmalade, dried mango, apple blossom. Glorious sweetness wrapped in the trademark Sauternes acidity to give it balance, complexity and deliciousness.

Estate History: Not exactly the new kid on the block, Château Lamourette has been making wine under the same name in Sauternes since 1860. During the 147 years of its existence it has been the Leglise women that have done the bulk of the winemaking at Lamourette.

In the vines: Like all Sauternes, harvest takes place after Botrytis, known as “Noble Rot,” has set in, leaving the grapes dry and full of sugar. The harvest typically begins in mid-to-late September and continues on in three or four parts to allow all parcels time to let Botrytisrun its course. The average age of the vines at Lamourette is 35 years and all of the vines are located on sandy-clay earth that lies on top of a granite layer.

In the cellar: Anne-Marie likes to keep her Sauternes fresh and aromatic so she vinifies in small steel tanks. (2,700 liter & 1,500 liter tanks) After fermentation has finished she ages the wine in cement tank to maintain the freshness she magnified during vinification.