Château Gilette - Crème de Tête 1959

Lot presentation

Château Gilette - Crème de Tête 1959

The wine

Produced only when the vintage allows it, the “Crème de Tête” cuvée is harvested later than the estate's other Sauternes wines. A rigorous selection process is used here: perfectly botyrised grapes and juice that runs at 20° upon leaving the wine press. Some years (such as 1959, 1961 or 1988), the entire harvest is given over to making "Crème de Tête". Yields for this cuvée generally do not exceed 9 hl per hectare. The wine develops fantastic amber nuances due to its age. On the palate, it displays a rare creaminess with aromas of citrus fruits and honey. Its ageing potential is tremendous.

The Médeville family's relationship with the Sauternais region dates back to the marriage of Numa Médeville and Marie Despujols, the latter owning her own family estate in the heart of Preignac, as well as the Gilette vineyard. A renowned businessman and seasoned traveller, Numa Médeville was behind the many awards won by his estates. His grandson René Médeville is continuing his legacy at the Château Gilette. A man of conviction, he was committed to creating wines designed to keep, which now forms the founding pillars of the estate's reputation. Christian was next in line. A father to three girls, he took over the estate with Julie. She married Xavier Gonet, a wine-maker from Champagne, and together they split the management of Gilette and Champagne Gonet-Médeville. The legend of Gilette comes from its unusual aging: 15 to 18 years in concrete vats in a reducing environment. It is said that, during the war, a tank was abandonedovni and finally gave an absolutely exceptional wine. The wines are put on the market more than 20 years later. It is a veritable UFO, produced in extremely small quantities (5000 bottles) and highly appreciated by amateurs