Sauternes region of France, just slightly South of Bordeaux, which is most recognized for producing superior sweet wines. Sauternes cultivates and produces the most famous and premium dessert wines. Grapes grown in Sauternes are mainly Semillon, but one can also find small amounts of Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, and Sauvignon Gris. Semillon allows for a full bodied structure with notes of stone fruit, honeysuckle, and beeswax in Sauternes wine, while the Sauvignon Blanc gives earthy tones to the nose and valuable acidity for freshness. Traditional wines from Sauternes are a rich deep yellow color and increases to a rich tawny when aged in the bottle. Sauternes winemakers have a particularly interesting method of producing such fantastic dessert wines, botrytis. Under ideal circumstances, the grapes will be subjected to “noble rot” where the fungus dries out the grape and naturally concentrates the grape’s sugar content. Sauternes climate of dewy early daytime effects combined with temperate and arid afternoons gives the best environment for botrytis to form. Appellation laws in Sauternes regulate the harvesting of the grapes when they reach a weight of 221 grams per liter. Sauternes carry a very high risk in production due to the longer periods on the vine, allowing fungus to form, and lengthy time in a barrel. Good vintages that rely on nothing but nature for the sweetness and flavor are extremely prestigious and often come with a higher price tag.
Hallet Sauternes is made from 100% Sémillon.
With delicate aromas of honey, citrus, crystallized fruit and acacia, it makes a good match not only for desserts, but also for foie gras, roasted meats and blue cheeses.
It makes a delicious aperitif when served chilled.
Gravas Sauternes is a blend of 100% Sémillon.
The wine shows a lovely pale golden color with deep golden highlights. Round and well-balanced offering complex aromas of candied fruits backed up by a hint of exotic fruit (mango, guava) and white flowers. On the palate, it is ample and fleshy, leading into a silky and long finish.
The wine pairs well with white meats, scallops, exotic and spicy dishes, foie Gras, Roquefort blue cheese, chocolate desserts.
All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
Gravas Sauternes is a blend of 100% Sémillon.
The wine shows a lovely pale golden color with deep golden highlights. Round and well-balanced offering complex aromas of candied fruits backed up by a hint of exotic fruit (mango, guava) and white flowers. On the palate, it is ample and fleshy, leading into a silky and long finish.
The wine pairs well with white meats, scallops, exotic and spicy dishes, foie Gras, Roquefort blue cheese, chocolate desserts.
Grand Veneur Chateauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is made from 50% Grenache, 40% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah
Matured in concrete vats (40%) and oak casks (60%)
It boasts an inky/purple color in addition to a gorgeous perfume of crushed rocks, jammy black fruits, charcoal and graphite. Blackberry aroma with an air of dates pressed in alongside – this is sweet-noted. It is easy to appreciate, a sleek and stylish start. The palate holds excellent fruit that runs well and has kick. Its tannins move round freely and a minted finale comes forward. Its dark fruit is tasty, darkens on the finish, where tar and char from its oak enter. It is all very much together, a bundle of harmony, and will gain local attributes as it ages.
An outstanding Chateauneuf du Pape which display the best of its terroir.
The vines are 50 to 100+ year old. They are planted on red clay soils covered with pebble stones.
Harvest is destemmed and crushed. Fermentation temperature is controlled at 30°C. Vatting period of 18 to 20 days. Matured in concrete vats (40%) and oak casks (60%).
The vineyards are located in the north of Châteauneuf du Pape. GRAND VENEUR «Vieilles Vignes» cuvee is produced from the older vines. Thanks to time and an organic growing, roots go very deep in the soil. Yields are naturally low and grapes highly concentrated.
The vines are 50 to 100+ year old. They are planted on red clay soils covered with pebble stones.
Winemaking and aging
Harvest is destemmed and crushed. Fermentation temperature is controlled at 30°C. Vatting period of 18 to 20 days. Matured in concrete vats (40%) and oak casks (60%).
Pair with venisson, duck, braised lamb or strong cheese.
Review:
"The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is based on 45% each of Grenache and Mourvèdre, with the balance Syrah, all destemmed and raised in 55% new French oak. Gorgeous cassis, violet, graphite, fruitcake, and peppery herbs define this brilliant effort, and it's full-bodied, with a pure, seamless texture, wonderful tannins, and one heck of a great finish. This magical 2019 is going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age (it's brilliant even today) yet keep for 20 years or more. Châteauneuf du Pape lovers need to have this in their cellar!"
- Jeb Dunnuck (November 2021),99 pts
Winemaker Landon Donley considers Sauvignon Blanc to be the premier white wine of Napa Valley. Quattro Theory Sauvignon Blanc captures the best Napa Valley expression of this varietal.
Our Sauvignon Blanc is grown in our estate Mary’s Vineyard in Calistoga, containing some of the oldest Sauvignon Blanc plantings in Napa Valley at more than 30 years old. The old vines offer concentration and complimentary young vines add vibrance, and a small amount of Semillon from the estate adds a roundness to the wine.
Every step of the winemaking process is designed to heighten the natural aromatics, flavor and vibrant acidity of Sauvignon Blanc: each lot of fruit is chilled, then whole-cluster pressed over two hours with 23 check-ins to isolate exactly the press of juice we want.
With its intense aromatics, vibrant fruit and bright acidity, this Sauvignon Blanc is refreshing and offers concentration, complexity and long finish that make it enjoyable on its own, interesting from first sip to last, as well as an ideal complement to food.
Suggested pairings: fresh oysters, lemon-herb roasted chicken and goat cheese salad.
Review:
Brilliant and vibrant, this nicely nervy wine is packed with limes, lemons and grassy nuances. A touch of salinity gives it mouthwatering freshness plus a bit of food-friendly restraint.
-Wine Enthusiast 92 Points