Château Gilette

A confidential and unique production - Sauternes

Château Gilette wines: buy at the best price

Château Gilette, an emblematic estate nestled in the heart of the Sauternes vineyard in Preignac, is renowned for its incomparable sweet wines, aged in concrete tanks for decades. For 300 years, the Médeville family has preserved and developed this unique heritage, offering wines of exceptional youth and aromatic complexity. Unlike the usual practices of the appellation, Château Gilette adopts a tank-ageing process that imparts a depth and singularity to its wines rarely achieved elsewhere, making this property a true legend of the Sauternais.

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€560.00 - €580.00

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86 - 92

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18 - 20

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Gilette Crème de Tête 1947 -15% DISCOUNT !
-15%
Last one !
1 in stock
116589
White
75cl
Slightly Damaged
Mid Shoulder
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Bordeaux | Sauternes

Gilette Crème de Tête 1947 -15% DISCOUNT !

€561.00 inc-VAT per bottle €660.00 inc-VAT -15%
€467.50 ex-VAT
The TOP winemakers of Bordeaux

History of Château Gilette

The history of Château Gilette begins in the 18th century, with the marriage of Numa Médeville and Marie Despujols, sealing the union between two renowned wine families of Sauternes. This vineyard has been passed down from generation to generation, with each member of the Médeville family making a unique contribution. The modern era of the estate is marked by René Médeville, who in the 1930s innovated in wine conservation and aging. Starting from a context of war and economic crisis, he decided to let his wines age in vats for several decades, a technique that would transform the aromatic profile of the wines and strengthen their longevity.

Today, under the direction of Julie Gonet-Médeville and her husband Xavier Gonet, the estate continues this tradition while opening up to international markets. Château Gilette has thus become a symbol of elegance and authenticity, and a global reference for great Sauternes.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Château Gilette

Château Gilette extends over 4.5 hectares in Preignac, a privileged terroir for the cultivation of sweet Sauternes wines. The soil, composed of sand, gravel and rock, rests on a limestone subsoil ideally located near the Garonne, creating optimal conditions for the development of noble rot, or botrytis cinerea. This fungus, essential to Sauternes wines, concentrates the aromas and intensifies the flavors of the grapes.

The vines, composed of 90% Sémillon, 8% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Muscadelle, were mostly planted in the 1930s. This selection of grape varieties reflects a carefully considered choice by the Médeville family, who seek to preserve the typicity of their terroir. The old vines, carefully maintained, bring unique aromatic complexity to the wines of Château Gilette.

Winemaking at Château Gilette

The winemaking process at Château Gilette is simple and precise, but it is the aging method in vats that truly distinguishes the wines of this house. After traditional vinification in stainless steel vats, the wines are transferred to epoxy concrete vats, a technique initiated by René Médeville and still preserved by his descendants. The choice of this type of vat prevents any oxidation and allows the wine to age away from air for a period ranging from 15 to 20 years.

Unlike the common practices of the Sauternes appellation, which favor aging in oak barrels, the wines of Château Gilette never see wood, which allows to preserve a purity of aromas and remarkable freshness, even several decades after bottling. The wines thus retain surprising youth and particularly elegant aromas of candied fruits, sweet spices and bitter citrus. Once the aging in vats is completed, the wine is bottled, then stored for another three to five years before its release. This unique aging method gives the wines of Château Gilette extraordinary complexity and longevity, positioning them among the most sought-after by Sauternes enthusiasts.

The signature cuvée of Château Gilette

The main cuvée of Château Gilette is a true work of art, a unique wine that embodies the essence of the estate. Crafted from carefully selected harvests and rigorous sorting, this wine captures the aromatic richness and finesse of an authentic Sauternes. The long years of maturation in concrete vats give the cuvée an exceptional character, where freshness is preserved while the aromas concentrate and become more complex.

The cuvée of Château Gilette is distinguished by its captivating aromas of ginger, turmeric, candied fruits and bitter orange, flavors that evolve over the years, offering an exceptional tasting experience. On the palate, the liqueur is long and balanced, supported by perfectly dosed acidity, bringing incomparable harmony. Thanks to its prolonged aging without oxidation, this cuvée retains astonishing youth, even several decades after its creation. Connoisseurs appreciate its silky character and subtle notes of spices and fruits, which elegantly accompany the sweetness of its liqueur.

Each vintage of Château Gilette is produced in limited quantities, only 5,000 to 6,000 bottles, and exclusively in good years. This rare and precious character of the estate's cuvées gives them a unique place in the world of Sauternes and makes them wines prized by connoisseurs and collectors.

The finest vintages of Sauternes and Barsac, two prestigious appellations of Bordeaux, include exceptional years such as 1945, 1947, 1949, 1955, 1959, and 1967, recognized for their finesse and complexity. Among more recent vintages, we note 1975, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, as well as the legendary 2001. Sweet wine enthusiasts will also appreciate the years 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2013. Finally, the excellent climatic conditions of recent decades have produced memorable vintages in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. These wines offer unique aromatic richness and remarkable aging potential.

Discover the exceptional treasures of the Grands Crus Classés of Sauternes and Barsac, where each estate tells a unique story of craftsmanship and excellence. The prestigious Château d'Yquem, Premier Grand Cru Supérieur, embodies the quintessence of Sauternes. Among the Premiers Grands Crus Classés, explore the subtleties of Château Climens and Château Coutet in Barsac, as well as the wonders of Château Guiraud, Clos Haut-Peyraguey, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Château La Tour Blanche, Château Rabaud-Promis, Château de Rayne-Vigneau, Château Rieussec, Château Sigalas-Rabaud, and Château Suduiraut in Sauternes. Each estate invites you to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of sweet wines, combining aromatic richness, finesse and elegance, for an unforgettable sensory experience.

Château Gilette is a unique estate in the world of Sauternes, where tradition and innovation come together to create an exceptional wine. Heir to a know-how passed down for over three centuries, this family estate is today a reference for sweet wine enthusiasts, offering a cuvée of unparalleled finesse and complexity. With its prolonged aging process in concrete vats, the cuvée of Château Gilette is distinguished by its freshness, depth and aromatic richness, symbolizing the authenticity and excellence of great Sauternes.

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