G de Château Guiraud - Bordeaux blanc BIO 2023

The château is owned by four partners: Robert Peugeot, Xavier Planty (who manages the estate), Stephan von Neipperg, and Olivier Bernard. Certified organic since 2011 and boasting a truly unique collection of white grape varieties from Aquitaine (175 clones of Sauvignon and Sémillon), Guiraud is leading the way in sustainable viticulture in the Sauternes region. Here, perfectly botrytized grapes are harvested with precision to produce two types of sweet wines. The flagship wine, full of finesse and maturing fairly quickly in the bottle, and “Petit-Guiraud,” which is deliberately less rich but perfect as an aperitif—as one can see in the very elegant restaurant-brasserie the estate has just opened. The dry Bordeaux “G” is less appealing: clean but too simple for the terroir.

Sémillon dominates the blend alongside Sauvignon Blanc in this exquisite dry white wine from the renowned Sauternes producer. On the nose, it offers aromas of lemongrass, cut grass, and lime. On the palate, it combines vibrancy and creaminess, with notes of grapefruit and coconut cream, and a long, vibrant finish. Best enjoyed between 2025 and 2035.

 

This Sauternes Premier Cru Classé is now owned by four co-owners: Robert Peugeot, Olivier Bernard (Domaine de Chevalier), Stephan Von Neipperg (Château Canon-la-Gaffelière), and Xavier Planty. Under the skilled leadership of Xavier Planty, the estate has, for many vintages now, produced a perfect example of a great modern Sauternes—toasty, very approachable even in its early years, and one that has gained tremendous finesse and minerality. Viticulture here is meticulously managed; in fact, Guiraud was the first of the 1855 First Growths to receive organic certification, in 2011. Through tremendous dedication, the estate succeeds in allowing noble rot to develop naturally. As for winemaking, the estate strictly avoids any form of chaptalization—as should be the case for all classified growths, a principle championed by Xavier Planty. The Château also produces, on unclassified Sauternes terroirs under the Bordeaux appellation, a significant volume of a dry white wine meant to be enjoyed in its prime youth.

With good intensity, the bouquet of Guiraud’s dry white wine stands out for its subtlety. It reveals pleasant notes of white flowers, anise, and mirabelle plums. Slightly creamy on the palate, the wine is precise, delicious, and endowed with structuring acidity, while subtle bitter notes enhance the freshness and length of the finish. 2025–2038