Rating: RVF 18.5/20
“The 1988 is Château Gilette’s ‘newest addition.’ Released in the spring of 2009, it immediately displayed the estate’s classic aromatic profile, featuring the famous candied citrus notes, along with the freshness and approachable balance that characterize this renowned Sauternes vintage. ” (Les Meilleurs Vins de France 2011 - RVF)
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Eye
beautiful amber color
Nose
rich, with notes of candied fruit
Palate
smooth, full-bodied, and powerful, with a superbly long finish
Serve
decant at 10-11°C
Open
1 hour ago
Drink from
2011
Drink before
2030
Production
3,000 to 6,000 bottles
Food and wine pairings
A déguster sur un homard au Sauternes, un foie gras, une tarte Tatin...<br/>
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated estate (2017 guide): 4* Stars (Producers of the very highest quality, the pride of French viticulture)
About the estate:
Château Gilette has been in the Médeville family since the 18th century. René Médeville, the grandfather of Julie Gonet-Médeville, the current manager of the château, developed a unique, sweet wine in the 1930s that was aged for 15 to 20 years in concrete tanks. Since then, this process has been repeated only in exceptional vintages. Only the finest portion—the “crème de tête”—is reserved for the grand vin; the rest is sold in bulk. The vineyard comprises 4.5 hectares dedicated to Château Gilette, including a plot that gave the château its name. This year, Julie Gonet-Médeville is releasing the 1996 vintage, which follows in the footsteps of its illustrious predecessors.
Guide des Vins Gault & Millau
5-Star Rated Estate (Outstanding Production)
About the estate:
Gilette is a small 4.5-hectare vineyard (more than 80% of which is planted with Sémillon) owned by the Médeville family and currently managed by Julie Gonet-Médeville. Somewhat unconventional in an era where everything must move fast and be immediately profitable, Gilette releases its wines— between 3,000 and 6,000 bottles per vintage, at most—only after a long aging period of 20 years in vats. This has earned it the nickname "the antique dealer of Sauternes." It was the 1989 vintage that was sent to us this year for tasting.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Estate rated "Recommended" (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Rated estate (2017 guide) 2*Stars (These exceptional estates, often blessed with fabulous terroirs, are must-haves that, thanks to the consistency and excellence of their wines, deserve a place in the cellars of discerning wine lovers)
About the estate:
This tiny Preignac estate, now run by Julie Médeville and her husband Xavier Gonet, is famous for selling only very old vintages—aged for a long time in concrete tanks (away from the air) and then in bottles—and sourced from exceptionally rich harvests (hence the designation “crème de tête”). Gilette’s characteristic bouquet is undoubtedly the fruitiest in the Sauternes region, with notes of citrus marmalade (bitter orange), enhanced by the delicate rancio developed through aging and extended maturation. The preservation method prioritizes reduction without oxidation, which explains the wines’ surprising youthfulness, even more than thirty years after their creation. It is strongly recommended to decant them several hours before serving.
Customer rating
5/5
based on 1 review
Review by Mr. Gilles P. Published on November 26, 2018
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