The Sauternes and Barsac AOCs are located south of Bordeaux, specifically in the Graves. Both AOCs date back to 1936. The area known as Sauternais comprises five communes: Barsac, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac and Sauternes; while that of Barsac exclusively comprises the commune from which it takes its name. It is worth noting that this specification allows Barsac producers to name their wines both Barsac and Sauternes AOC (both are often mentioned on the label), while Sauternes producers can only name their wines Sauternes AOC. The area's soils are of alluvial origin with a good presence of limestone. What gives this area its unique characteristics is the microclimate created by the Garonne and Ciron rivers and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. grapes, creating a unique concentration. The varieties used for the AOC Sauternes and Barsac are: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. The quality of the wines produced in these areas has a long history, in fact already in 1855 Napoleon III, drawing up the first classification of Crus, recognised Château d'Yquem as the only Premier Cru Supérieur located outside the Medoc, followed by two other categories: Premier Cru (11 Châteaux) and Deuxième Cru (15 Châteaux).
Château Filhot
Varieties: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle.
Vineyards: The Château Filhot vineyards are located south of the village of Sauternes on the southwest-facing slopes.
Vinification: the harvest is carried out manually with several passages through the vineyards. Fermentation takes place in 50-hectolitre stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature and lasts 10 to 30 days. controlled temperature and lasts between 10 and 30 days depending on grape variety and concentration. Subsequently (10 months after fermentation) a light filtration takes place (no sterile filtration), while approximately 14 months after fermentation the blending takes place. Ageing: lasts approximately 2 years in oak barrels from the forest of Allier of which 1/3 new.
Characteristics Château Filhot has hints of ginger, orange, apricot, mango and papaya. On the finish, it is fresh while showing notes of tropical fruit and spicy notes.