About this WINE
Chateau Baret
Château Baret is an up-and-coming wine property in the Graves appellation owned by the Borie-Manoux negociant company. Borie-Manoux itself is one of Bordeaux’s oldest merchant houses and belongs to the Castéjà family, who are also proprietors of the celebrated Pauillac Classed Growth Ch Batailley.
The family have poured investment into the estate to upgrade the quality of both the red and the white wine, but it is the white which has made more progress recently.
The vineyards are planted with 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc for the reds and 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sémillon for the whites. The reds are aged for 12-18 months in oak barrels, 20% of which are new each vintage. The whites are barrel-fermented and spend 8 months on their lees in barrel, one fifth of which are new.
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.
Buying options
Add to wishlist
Description
The rather cool mid-summer conditions in 2014 really suited the aromatic Sauvignon, particularly at Baret. The nose is classic white Bordeaux – lifted elderflower and white peaches, with a touch of spice from barrel fermentation. Great freshness and genuine complexity on the palate. The Sémillon gives a waxy lemon twist on the finish. Drink now to 2018.
Philip Moulin - Wine Buyer, January 2017
A perennial overachiever, Ch. Baret is one of the most consistent properties in Pessac. Lovingly tended, and in family hands for over 200 years, the vineyards certainly benefit from their relative proximity to the outskirts of Bordeaux. The temperate climate means the fruit ripens early and evenly, and the harvest here is rarely affected by late summer rain.
wine at a glance
Delivery and quality guarantee