Nose
Lovely Semillon expression on the nose, revealing aromas of white peach and pineapple.
Palate
Complexity and elegance define the generous palate, which flows through to a fresh, well-balanced finish.
Growing Conditions
Sauvignon Blanc yield their best results on the premium quality plots located in Saint-Selve, while Semillon flourishes on the sandy-gravel soils of Portets and Podensac, where it reveals its true worth.
At Château Rahoul, the first buds appeared around 10 April, which is fairly normal for this sandy, gravel soil. The first few hot and sunny weeks of spring stimulated the growth of vegetation and a very even flowering took place in these ideal conditions. Such good weather throughout the season meant that the vines were in excellent health. The rate at which the vines were growing began to slow a little in July. The white varieties on the cooler clay soils benefitted greatly from moderate temperatures throughout August. We started the vintage by bringing in a parcel of early-ripening Sauvignon Blanc 27 August, then picked perfectly ripe fruit over several mornings up until 15 September.
Harvest
We harvest sauvignons and semillons in the morning freshness in order to preserve their natural acidity.
Manual picking, in small crates
Sauvignon blanc and Sauvignon gris : August 27th to September 1st
Sémillion : September 2nd, 9th and 15th
Bottling
June 2016
Winemaking
The white grapes, which are predominantly Semillon, are harvested by hand in slatted crates to avoid any damage to the berries. They are then pressed under inert gas to retain the complex aromas and the freshness of the musts.
Aging
The wines are then aged for 8-9 months.
In the same oak barrels, on fine lees, with regular stirring of the lees.
Appearance
Bright in appearance and pale yellow in colour.
Food Pairing
Perfectly matches poultry (ginea fowl, roasted chicken), fishes (lobster, skate with cream and sauces), crustacean (oysters, crab), and cheese (unpasteurized and mature cheese).
