SAUTERNES Madame de RAYNE 2016 75 cl by Château Rayne Vigneau

Description

Madame de Rayne Sauternes 2016 – An Elegant Sweet Bordeaux from a Historic First Growth Estate

Madame de Rayne 2016 is the second wine of Château de Rayne Vigneau, a renowned Sauternes estate classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1855.

Produced in Bommes, south of Bordeaux, this sweet white wine combines the richness of noble rot grapes with a fresh and fruit-driven style.

A tribute to Catherine de Rayne

The origins of Château de Rayne Vigneau date back to the early 17th century, when Gabriel de Vigneau established the estate.

In 1834, Catherine de Pontac, known as Madame de Rayne, acquired the property.

During her ownership, the château achieved First Growth status in the famous Bordeaux classification of 1855.

The estate's second wine was subsequently named in her honour.

An exceptional vineyard overlooking Sauternes

The property extends over approximately 84 hectares on a prominent gravel ridge overlooking the Sauternes vineyards.

Its soils combine gravel, clay, sand and limestone formations, providing a distinctive environment for the production of sweet Bordeaux wines.

The 2016 Madame de Rayne blend consists of 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc.

Sémillon contributes richness, rounded texture and concentration, while Sauvignon Blanc brings freshness and aromatic precision.

The importance of noble rot

Sauternes wines owe their distinctive sweetness to the development of Botrytis cinerea, the fungus responsible for noble rot.

Under suitable weather conditions, this process concentrates natural sugars and aromatic compounds in the grapes.

The 2016 growing season included a wet spring, a dry summer and favourable autumn conditions for botrytis development.

Careful harvesting helped preserve the balance between concentration and freshness.

Tasting notes and food pairings

Madame de Rayne 2016 displays a luminous golden colour.

The nose reveals intense pineapple, grapefruit and citrus aromas, complemented by subtle floral and honeyed notes.

The palate is generous and rounded, with flavours of peach, pear and candied apricot.

Its refreshing acidity provides an elegant counterbalance to the wine's natural sweetness.

This Sauternes pairs beautifully with foie gras, pan-seared scallops, roasted poultry, blue cheeses and apricot crumble.

The estate recommends serving between 8 and 11°C and enjoying the wine by 2030.