Château Respide-Médeville rouge 2013

A highly elegant nose, with notes of blackberry jam, mild spices, cocoa, and smoky oak; the palate is generous, with plenty of fruit, firm, well-defined tannins, vigor, and a good finish.

This estate belongs to the Médeville family, well known for its famous Sauternes, Château Gilette. The estate produces a fine red Graves wine, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, from 8 hectares, and a very elegant white Graves wine—of recognized and consistent quality—from half that area.

The 2013 red is a great success and exhibits a level of concentration above the year’s average. While the tannins are still prominent, the wine has good body. This wine will age gracefully for a good five years.

The château, owned by the Médeville family since the 1980s (which also owns the Gilette and Les Justices châteaux in Sauternes, the Château des Eyrins in Margaux, and the Gonet-Médeville champagnes), is located in Preignac, in the southern Graves region, very close to Langon and the Sauternes region, and is exceptionally well maintained. Thanks to a balanced blend of grape varieties, the red wines express the complementary qualities of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (which makes up a slight majority), while the white wines feature Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, along with a small percentage of Muscadelle (up to 5% in the blend, depending on the vintage). The white wine reveals the true style of the southern Graves region: unpretentious, with notes of citrus zest and a light, unburdensome palate, following a short three-month aging period in oak barrels. The reds have improved significantly thanks to winemaking consultant Olivier Dauga. Julie and Xavier Gonet skillfully manage this estate, which maintains an excellent standard and consistent quality in its production.