About this WINE
Chateau Le Sartre
Located between three prestigious first growths in the Pessac-Léognan wine appellation in Bordeaux , Le Sartre draws on a long wine making history dating back to the 19th century. Revived in the late seventies by the Perrin family, owners of Château Carbonnieux , the 90 acres estate has beenmanaged since 2005 by a team consisting of Marie-José Leriche, the late Antony Perrin’s sister, her husband René and winemaker David Château. David trained with Christophe Roumier (manager and winemaker of the Domaine Georges Roumier in Chambolle-Musigny) and Isabelle Dutartre (consultant oenologist with De Ponte Cellars, Willamette Valley, Oregon).
The plantings include 20 acres of Sauvignon Blanc, 4. acres of Semillion Blanc, 28.9 acres Cab Sauvignon, 3.2 acres of Cabernet-Franc, 31.4 acres of Merlot. The average age of the vines is 21 years for the red, and 19 years for the white varieties.
Red wines receive12 month ageing in cask, while white wines are left 9 months in cask with frequent bâtonnage.
Sauvignon Blanc & Sémillon
The blend used for White Graves and Sauternes and rarely encountered outside France. In the great dry whites of Graves, Sauvignon Blanc tends to predominate in the blend, although properties such as Smith Haut Lafite use 100% Sauvignon Blanc while others such as Laville Haut Brion have as much as 60% Sémillon in their final blends. Sauvignon Blanc wines can lose their freshness and fruit after a couple of years in bottle - if blended with Sémillon, then the latter bolsters the wine when the initial fruit from the Sauvignon fades. Ultimately Sauvignon Blanc gives the wine its aroma and raciness while Sémillon gives it backbone and longevity.
In Sauternes, Sémillon is dominant, with Sauvignon Blanc playing a supporting role - it is generally harvested about 10 days before Sémillon and the botrytis concentrates its sweetness and dampens Sauvignon Blanc`s naturally pungent aroma. It contributes acidity, zip and freshness to Sauternes and is an important component of the blend.
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Description
A lovely, historic vineyard, surrounded by it’s own pine forest, Ch. Le Sartre has seen a huge upswing in fortune since 2005 when it bought by its current owners, the Perrin family (of Ch.Carbonnieux). Prior to that, two world wars had ravaged the vines and the property was all but abandoned. There is fine terroir here, and the wines now are really singing.
Absolutely benchmark nose here – white peaches and elderflower. Wonderfully aromatic Sauvignon Blanc, giving zest and focus on the palate, bolstered by the added weight and waxiness of 10% Semillon. Refreshingly crisp and pure, but with real breadth and interest on the finish.
Drink now to 2017.
Philip Moulin - Fine Wine Buyer
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