Château de Rayne Vigneau 2021

An elegant and complex Sauternes Premier Grand Cru Classé

The estate

Château de Rayne Vigneau is located in the commune of Bomme, overlooking the Sauternes appellation. Created in the 17th century, the estate has belonged to several illustrious families such as the de Pontac family, who are closely linked to fine Bordeaux wines. The château currently belongs to the Trésor du Patrimoine group.

The vineyard

Château de Rayne Vigneau 2021 is a Sauternes wine made from an 84-hectare vineyard that is situated on a single hill, overlooking the appellation. The vines are 40 years old on average and are planted on a tapestry of soils. On the high points, the soil is composed of clay and gravel while the vines are rooted in clay and sandy soils with subsoils of lacustrine limestone at lower altitudes. The vineyard is managed in an integrated manner and on an intra-plot basis.

The blend

Semillon (71%)

Sauvignon Blanc (28%)

Muscadelle (1%).

Vinification and ageing

Each year, the vines patiently wait for the appearance of Botrytis cinerea, also known as noble rot, so that the grape harvest can be carried out by successive selections. Each grape is selected directly from the vines by hand and harvested when perfectly ripe. Each batch is then pressed and the grapes are vinified in new barrels. At the end of the various fermentations, a settling is carried out followed by a stabilisation of the must. Lastly, the wine is aged for 18 months in oak barrels (30% of which are new).

Château de Rayne Vigneau 2021: Characteristics and tasting tips

Nose

Intense and generous, the nose gives off fragrances of pear, lime blossom and white pepper.

Palate

The palate is seduced by this wine’s harmony, its finesse and its silky feel. Aromas of tangerine and bergamot elegantly lead to a persistent finish that reveals notes of kumquat and cardamom.