Château de Rayne, Madame de Rayne, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France (37.5cl.), 2020

Viticulture

Parcel-by-parcel vineyard management, based on certified reasoned farming practices, ensures precision viticulture while fully respecting environmental balance. The vineyard is located at the highest point of the Sauternes appellation, bordering the Ciron River, and is surrounded by prestigious neighbors such as Château d’Yquem, Château La Tour Blanche, and Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey.

Winemaking

Each year, the vines stand ready for the slow encroachment of noble rot, Botrytis cinerea. Harvesting remains firmly rooted in tradition and is conducted through successive selective passes (“tries”), with each berry picked only when perfectly “roasted” by the fungus. Depending on the vintage, between four and eight manual sorting rounds are required. Château Rayne-Vigneau benefits from a dedicated harvest‑receiving facility — a fully refurbished space where every carefully chosen batch is pressed with gentle precision. The grapes undergo vinification partly in new oak barrels. Once fermentation concludes, the musts are drawn off their lees and stabilised. Ageing then continues in oak barrels, half of which are renewed each year.

Tasting Note

A wine of great delicacy and pronounced fruitiness. The nose is lively and intense, marked by notes of pear nectar and fresh pineapple. On the palate, it displays beautiful structure and perfect balance, supported by vibrant acidity. It reveals flavours of candied lemon, mirabelle plum and a finish delicately spiced with gingerbread.

Food matching

An ideal accompaniment to desserts, foie gras, delicate white meats, and characterful cheeses.