Description
From: Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
Varietals: 95% Semillon, 5% Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting Notes: Intense, classic aromas of apricot, honey, white peach, citrus peel, honeysuckle, ginger, butterscotch, and toasted baking spice. These flavors come together with a lovely density and intricacy on the palate, balanced by a backbone of fresh acidity.
Pairing: Sauternes is wonderful because it has the sweetness, acidity, and complexity to pair with both sweet and very fatty foods. Classic savory pairings include blue cheese, foie gras, terrine with caramelized onions, and duck à l’orange, while custards, (non-chocolate) cheesecakes, a variety of tarts (we love almond or apricot!), and meringues pair well on the sweet side. If you choose to serve this Sauternes with a cheese course, we recommend heading to your favorite cheesemonger for high quality Roquefort and/or a washed rind cheese like Epoisses. We’re also sharing Daniel Gritzer’s recipe for Duck à l’Orange, in case you’re in the mood for a more in-depth cooking project.
About. For 40 years prior to 2001, the Lacoste family leased their vineyard to another family who was responsible for farming and had the rights to the harvest. In 2001, Marie-Pierre Lacoste and her mother, Bernadette, decided to take on the responsibility themselves and started producing wine from their land under the Château La Clotte-Cazalis label.
The Château is meticulous in its commitment to quality, using horses for plowing and making seven to eight passes in the vineyard to ensure that they pick the best fruit for the style: the grapes that have been most affected by the region’s characteristic noble rot. This traditional blend of 95% Semillon and 5% Sauvignon Blanc was fermented in a combination of stainless steel and barrels, then aged for a year in French oak. Château La Clotte-Cazalis never adds sugar (chapitalizes) to sweeten their wines.