Chateau Gilette, Creme de Tete, Sauternes

Gilette is a speciality of the Medeville family since 1710 – unique in Sauternes, since the wine is aged for over twenty years in little cement tanks, and then another two to three years in bottle before it is released. This unusual way of working reinforces, by its long reduction, the natural fruit flavors of the wines of Preignac, with high citrus notes, and makes them almost immortal, carried by a sensational aromatic complexity and an ever-lasting finish. Great gastronomic pleasure – combining power, voluptuousness, and elegance – for this reason, the family’s newer vineyards at Les Justices justifiably over-deliver for the price.

Winery: Chateâu Gilette (Gonet-Medeville)
Appellation: Sauternes
Average age of vines: N/A
Farming Methods: Conventional
Maturation: vinification cuve inox and maturation for 20 years in concrete tanks
Soil: N/A
Varietal: 90% Semillon, sauvignon blanc, muscadelle
Vineyard Orientation: N/A
Vineyard Size: 4.5

Wine	Scores	Downloads	Reviews
Chateau Gilette, Creme de Tete, Sauternes 1997	98 Decanter 22 years old and just now into its second year on the market as it was released in 2018. On first opening, you get an almost smoky edge, suggesting that you are missing nothing in the complexity of aromatics from seeing no oak during ageing. The smoked starter is followed by strong lemon zest and salted caramel, intense but not at all heavy. Quite different from many Sauternes, even when they have two decades in bottle, it promises sweetness in its texture and hints at tarte tatin in the richness of the apple and apricot flavours, but the finish is clean, juicy and uplifting, almost dry. Tasted again at least eight hours later over an evening meal and what impressed the most was how fresh and delicate it still was. Strong salinity on the finish, powerful and impactful. 97 Wine Spectator This still has a youthful golden color, with accents of marzipan and buttered brioche hinting at some evolution, while the core offers a magnificent display of creamed yellow apple, mirabelle and mango flavors infused with chamomile, honeysuckle and jasmine. The long finish has both waxy and racy elements, with more marzipan as well as green tea and verbena echoing. Absolutely stunning. Drink now through 2050. 183 cases made.	Bottle Image Label Image Shelf Talker