Tasting Note: The 2016 Guiraud has a pale lemon color and opens with musk perfume, paraffin, cedar and spice box notes with a core of lemon tart, honey-drizzled white peaches and kumquat plus a waft of quince paste. The palate has beautiful vibrancy and loads of lively tropical and spicy layers, finishing very long. Wine Advocate-Parker
Grower's Note: Chateau Guiraud is one of the wineries in France located in Grave. It was classified as Premier Cru Classe by Sauternes and Barsac in 1855. The “Noble House of Bayle " used to be estate's name when it belonged to the Mons Saint-Poly family. In 22 February 1766, a Bordeaux Protestant businessman, Pierre Guiraud, spent lage amount of money to buy this winery. On his death in 1799 his son Louis succeeded him. It was under Louis Guiraud that the estate was saved from a severe devaluation which had begun in 1793, becoming a famous chateau well known for its wine. On his death in 1837, his son Pierre-Aman inherited a well-established property, with a good reputation in the wine industry. In 1846, the winery was sold to a consortium of Depons. In the 1855 Classification, Chateau Guiraud was declared a Premier Cru, ranked ninth out of 21 properties that existed at the time. Solar sadly lacked the financial head necessary to cope with this responsibility, and he quickly frittered away his inheritance. By 1861 his position was untenable, and had no choice other than to sell his winery, the next owners being the Bernard family. Bernard family was very rich, their resultant wealth meant that the winery was not short of new investment. This was a golden era for the winery. The wines received great accolades and the reputation of the estate blossomed. The Bernards arranged two daughters to marry with the Maxwell family, the winery eventually came in 1910 to be under the direction of James Maxwell. However, because of some disastrous vintages coupled with war and depression forced them. The winery was then sold to the next character Paul C'sar Rival. During the World War II, the winery was occupied by German forces. Following the end of the conflict, Rival's pre-war enthusiasm for life seemed to fail him, and he gradually distanced himself from the rest of the world. And the wines were pale shadows of their former selves. In 1981, the winery was acquired by the Narby family. Under the direction from Hamilton Narby, the winery has seen an unprecedented level of investment, refurbishment, repair and re-equipping. In 2006, Robert Peugeot and three wine makers bought the winery. They signed the contract on 20 july and became the new owner of Chateau Guiraud.
Château Guiraud 2016, 1st Grand Cru Classe Sauternes - 750ml
Technical Sheet
Appellation Sauternes, Bordeaux, France Type Sweet Wine Grape Semillon 65%, Sauvignon Blanc 35% Producer Chateau Guiraud Alcohol 13.5%