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Noncontractual photograph
Vintage | Wine 1988 |
Classification | Sauternes - 1er Cru Classé |
Region | Bordeaux |
Appellation | Sauternes |
Colour | Sweet white wine |
Volume | 0.75 l |
Country | France |
Château | Château De Rayne Vigneau |
Country | France |
The Château Rayne Vigneau was create during the 17th century. The Vigneau de Bommes was the first holder. Gabriel de Vigneau indeed appears in writings from 1635. His son Étienne married Jeanne Sauvage, daughter of the Lord of Yquem, and in 1681 took personal ownership of the property. Madame de Rayne, bought the Domaine du Vigneau in 1834.
The ranking of 1855 places Château Rayne Vigneau among the Premiers Crus of Sauternes wines. In 1867, the great broker Daney gave it the first rank immediately after Yquem. It is Albert de Pontac, grand-nephew of Madame de Rayne, who gives his name of "Rayne Vigneau" to the property. Between 2004 and 2015, Château de Rayne Vigneau belonged to CA Grands Crus, a subsidiary of the Crédit Agricole Group, which implemented an optimization plan for the entire vineyard. Since 2007, the castle has adopted sustainable agriculture that respects the environment.
Today, the Château de Rayne Vigneau, bought by the Trésor du Patrimoine group, is managed by Vincent Labergère, assisted by the advice of oenologist Henri Boyer. The château embodies a sure bet of the appellation claiming, vintage after vintage, a style full of intensity, length and freshness. The vineyard covers 84 hectares and the vines, 30 years old on average, are divided between Sémillon (74%), Sauvignon Blanc (24%) and Muscadelle (2%). The harvest remains traditional with successive sorting. Harvested by hand, only perfectly “roasted” grapes are picked. The wines are aged for 18 months in oak barrels, 40% to 50% of which are new each year.
Pauillac
DOMAINE DE LA ROMANEE CONTI 1988
Romanée Saint Vivant
CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 1988
Pauillac
Sauternes
Champagne
Pauillac
Champagne
Champagne
The color is still light. A nose of pear, apricot, slightly honeyed. Not too rich, not candied orange, a rather delicate finish. The palate is rich but not exuberant. Very well balanced. To drink or wait.
As disappointing as the 1989, both in the context of the vintage and the increasing quality of the wines now emerging from Rayne-Vigneau, the 1988 is the best example I have tasted from this property. An intense, honeyed, pear, flower, and apricot fragrance is reminiscent of Muscat de Beaumes de Venise. In the mouth, there is exceptional richness, super focus because of fine acidity, a wonderful touch of toasty new oak, and an elegant, very positive, crisp finish. This is a beautifully made, authoritative tasting, and impeccably well-balanced Sauternes.
Beautifully crafted and creamy-textured, displaying lovely pineapple, honey, mineral and wet earth character that unfolds its complexity to a long, balanced finish.