Imagine the greatness of Bordeaux whites! Handpicked from a stony ridge that intersects the vineyard rows, each vine yields only a few precious bunches. This exceptional scarcity results in the lowest yields, meticulously crafted into a single barrel of hand-selected perfection. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Smillon bursting with vibrant citrus and tropical fruit flavours, accompanied by elegant minerality. Its rich, decadent complexity leads to a never-ending finish, promising a brilliant drinking experience and a long life span.

Vintage 2020

A beautiful season ended in a long Indian summer. Four rows interspersed with Semillon on sandy gravelly soils broken up by a large stony ridge were chosen for the Grande Duchesse. There, the vines yield little but very luscious grapes, perfect for this stately wine. We picked the grapes at a tiny yield of 700g of their 20-year-old vines a few days later than our sur lie, ensuing luscious fruit. The succulent healthy grapes were carefully picked into small crates and only a few minutes later still intact and fresh with Hans in the winery.

Hans’ Comments

Such purity in the fruit deserved a long cold maceration to extract the wonderful flavours. Gently pressed into a new 500 lit French oak puncheon the must embarked on a natural wild yeast ferment and secondary fermentation. The young wine lived on its pure lees with regular stirring to provide silkiness, complexity and depth for two years to mature and evolve. We bottled this nectar without cold stabilization or fining and only light filtration to retain the beautiful aromas. A low organic sulphur addition should help protect its anticipated long life. Natural sediments may show but do not impact on the high quality of this natural wine.

Tasting Notes

A complex bouquet of white flowers, white peach, nectarine, pink grapefruit and silky tannins unfold beautifully in the glass. A full-bodied, well-balanced palate with a touch of wild honey a dap of ginger and green apple notes culminate in a long, lingering finish. Like a well-crafted Graves this wine has class and poise.

Technical Data

Varieties 85% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Semillon Rootstock RG, 101-14 Vine Planted 1996 (grafted 2004) Soil Shallow (<45 cm) stony soil, well drained, developed from stony alluvium. Not one row shows the same soil type Planting Density 5,500 vines/ha Yield 2t/ha Alcohol 14% Residual Sugar <1g/L Ageing Potential >10 years Bottles Produced 542

Food Matching Suggestions

Very versatile. One of the white wines with matches practically everything.

Industry Reviews

James Suckling – 95 points

‘A sauvignon blanc that will surprise many used to lighter and sweeter ones from Marlborough. Its full-bodied and flavorful with lots of dried apples, peaches and apricots, suggesting a late harvest. Undertones of vanilla and lanolin. Chewy and intense in the finish. Very dry. A rich, serious white for sipping. Drink or hold.’