Château Guiraud 2020

A Premier Grand Cru Classé from Sauternes, seductive in its finesse and aromatic richness

The property

"La Maison Noble du Bayle", the first name of Château Guiraud was owned by the Mons de Saint Poly family. In 1766, Pierre Guiraud, a Bordeaux merchant, acquired it. In 80 years and three generations, Château Guiraud has become a prestigious name, recognized in 1855 as a 1st Grand Cru Classé from Sauternes.

Taken over in 2006 by four personalities (an industrialist, Robert Peugeot, and three winemakers, Olivier Bernard, Stephan Von Neipperg, and Xavier Planty), Château Guiraud is an essential label.

The vineyard

This illustrious Sauternes property comes from an 85-hectare vineyard resting on sandy gravel soils (80%) and clayey gravel soils (20%). Nestled in a haven of biodiversity, the vines, averaging 35 years old, have been farmed organically since 1996.

The wine

In 2011, Château Guiraud became the first of the 1st Grands Crus Classés in 1855 to receive organic farming certification. The 2020 vintage celebrates this tenth anniversary.

The vintage

A humid and mild autumn precedes a dry winter, the mildness of which encourages early budding. The spring frost, partially affecting some plots, combines with significant rainfall, requiring increased vigilance from the château's teams to preserve the quality of the grapes. The hot and dry summer promotes ideal and progressive ripening of the berries.

Vinification and aging

The harvest is concentrated in September, as it could not be carried out in October due to continuous rain. Mature, the grapes reveal a beautiful aromatic freshness. Handpicked, the berries are rigorously sorted three times to retain only those of optimal quality. As a result, and given the spring weather conditions, the quantity produced in 2020 is particularly low but of high quality. Fermentation, lasting 3 to 6 weeks, is carried out in oak barrels, 90% of which are new and 10% from a first wine. The aging in barrels lasts 18 to 24 months.

Blend

Sémillon (65%), Sauvignon Blanc (35%).

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château Guiraud 2020

Tasting

This vintage seduces with its tension and purity. A silky touch blends with great finesse with fresh and spicy aromas as well as fruity notes (quince, apricots).

Service

For optimal tasting, serve at a temperature of 9-10°C.