Château GUIRAUD 1983
Château Guiraud is located in Sauternes , in the Bordeaux wine region. It was classified Premier Grand Cru Classé in the Sauternes and Barsac classification of 1855. Château Guiraud was originally known as Maison Noble de Bayle before being purchased by Pierre Guiraud in 1766. The estate was bought by Robert Peugeot (from the eponymous car manufacturer), Olivier Bernard (Domaine de Chevalier), Stephan Von Neipperg (Château Canon La Gaffelière) and Xavier Planty , winegrower in Guiraud since the 1980s. The property has around 85 hectares of vines, on sandy, gravelly and clay soils, which provide a good growing medium and, by virtue of their moisture retention qualities, are conducive to the propagation of noble rot.
Château Guiraud is a blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc , made from botrytised grapes . Fermentation is carried out in oak barrels (90% new and 10% from one wine). The wine is then aged in barrels for 18 to 24 months depending on the vintage. The 1983 vintage in Sauternes is legendary . The growing season began with a moderately cold winter followed by a cool, wet spring. Although the spring heat arrived late, the bud break and flowering were successful. July saw scorching temperatures and the August rains were a welcome relief. Temperatures, as well as precipitation, decreased towards the end of the month and conditions were pointing to an optimal autumn. Although initially slow in coming, the all-important noble rot eventually showed up, as foggy mornings and sunny afternoons allowed the grapes to botrytis steadily concentrating the fruit.
Grapes: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc