GRANDIOSE, huge, majestic, romantic! These are first words that came to mind when arriving at the Chateau Filhot!
Well! I prefer to directly prevent my male readers: If you go with your dear and loving you expect tohear “Honey, I want to get married here! It’s magic! “….
Let me explain:
As part of the club of large estates in Bordeaux, Chateau Filhot (Second Cru Sauternes) extends over 350 hectares (that is huge!) Including 62 hectares of vines. The rest is divided between areas of forest, lake landscaped plots of acacia trees and a beautiful English park landscape of the famous Fisher.
Side story: The vineyard was established in 1709 by Romain Filhot (making it one of the oldest in the Sauternes). The Castle, it was the first time by batiune Filhot then redesigned and enlarged twice (1870 and 1880) by the family of Lur-Saluces.
Filhot family property until 1789. With the French Revolution the castle changed hands being recovered by the Lur-Saluces through a marriage course. At the end of the 19th century the castle was often used for receptions and organized hunts.
Since then, the castle remained family property (not the same branch), passed on from generation to generation. Today is Gabriel de Vaucelles which manages the vineyard.
Filhot was one of the pioneers of the wines of Sauternes.
Indeed, until the 17th century the wines produced in the region were dry white label “wine of Langon.” Responding to the request of the merchants in northern Europe, the family of Lur-Saluces inspired German and Hungarian dessert wines for their production. Thus passed the wines gradually “dry white” to “soft” and “sweet” giving rise to the name “Sauternes”.
The growth of Sauternes wines is due to several factors: the purchase by the Russian court, the boycott by some dealers of sweet wines in northern Europe (policy issue), but also by the visit of American President Jefferson who fell in love with Sauternes and took the opportunity to redo the basement of the White House.
Historically, every major event in the region take place Filhot (eg the “raisin d’or event”)
Rated wine:
– Faithful to the style “Filhot” set in the 19th century, every year what is sought is the freshness, the fruit and lightness. To avoid toasted side, production is a year in casks.
– The wine is composed of 60% Semillon, Sauvignon 36%, 4% Muscadelle.
– Four wines are produced: Château Filhot (Sauternes), Château Pineau du Rey (2nd wine), a smaller and a dry white Sauternes.
As for the story … it will be very hard to give one!
The story, the twists and turns of this castle are so numerous that it is difficult to select one. So I’ll give you two, and advise you to visit the Castle.
You will be greeted by the owner, passionate about his job, not his property, and during the visit will be able to count the miles and a history of the Castle, without ever tiring.
Back on topic (stories): The concept of Vinexpo is, perhaps, born at the Chateau Filhot in 1970 with the organization by Louis de Lacarelle (Chateau Lacarelle) the exhibition “Expo Vine.”
In 2005 the fashion designer Kenzo Takada, a great lover of Sauternes, suggested to the family of Vaucelles to design the label of the 2005 vintage.
Moving to the “Bordeaux Wines” tasting (vintage 2009): Note passion fruit, apricot, a perfect balance between fruit, acidity and sugar. Here is what characterizes this nectar!
Tip: Get out of the picture Sauternes = bold faith and drink it with/accompany chicken;)
The new website is available: www.vertdevin.com
A next week
Thanks to Gabriel de Vaucelles hosts.
Jonathan
Bordeaux Wines 