Château Guiraud, Sauternes 2022

This extensive Sauternes estate, which received first growth status in the 1855 Classification, is named after Pierre Guiraud, the Bordeaux négociant who bought it in 1766. Since 2006, the property has taken on a new lease of life under its new quartet of owners: industrialist Robert Peugeot, experienced winemakers Stephan von Neipperg and Olivier Bernard, and the estate’s long-term manager, Xavier Planty.

The 85 hectares of vineyards are mostly planted on sandy gravel, with some clay-gravel, and the vines have an average age of 25 to 30 years. The estate is known for its environmental concern, with insect houses and several kilometres of hedges to encourage natural predators and pollinators, and a conservatory for the study of vines. Greater investment has allowed Xavier much more flexibility in picking each vineyard parcel at the optimum time, which is achieved by up to seven successive pickings, and after a period of inconsistency the future is looking very good.

The wine is generally a blend of 65% semillon and 35% sauvignon, which is fermented in temperature-controlled oak barrels, before spending two years ageing in oak, 30 to 50% of it new. We recommend drinking it between four and 25 years after the vintage.