Monbazillac Château Tirecul La Gravière Bruno et Claudie Bilancini 1996

Lot presentation

Monbazillac Château Tirecul La Gravière Bruno et Claudie Bilancini 1996

The wine

This Monbazillac, the domain’s Grand Vin, is an exemplar of harmony and balance. Produced from botrytised grapes, it delights with its fruity and candied aromas, and floral and spicy notes which are typical of Muscadelle. On the palate, its richness and opulence is particularly lingering, underscored by a lovely freshness. A superb wine which proudly flies the flag of the Monbazillac appellation.

Ranked among Monbazillac's Premier Crus in the last century, Château Tirecul La Gravière has been lovingly maintained by Bruno and Claudie Bilancini since 1992. Extremely rigorous work in the vineyard, ruthless selection, and "haute-couture" vinification and ageing all contribute to produce a small marvel of balance and refinement. Muscadelle (50%) gives the wines a very rich aromatic range and tremendous freshness. Sémillon (45%) brings opulence, body and roundness. The blend is completed with 5% Sauvignon. An truly amazing Monbazillac, highly sought after by wine lovers all over the world. When the vintage allows it, the property makes a Cuvée Madame that is a match for many of the great Sauternes, and more generally any of the world's finest sweet wines. Like the Cuvée Château, it is made from grapes affected by Botrytis Cinera, picked in a series of selective harvests between mid-October and the end of November. Its power, aromatic concentration and rich residual sugar surpass the Cuvée Château, and give it an exceptional capacity to age, with another five or six years required for to reveal the full expression of its aromas and its wonderful balance.