Château Haut-Bergeron legacy starts in the 18th Century. In 1757, the Lamothe family ownership took over and it is now Hervé that has taken over the operation from his father, as the eighth generation. A few years after taking over, Hervé had his brother Patrick and his wife to manage the castle. The Château is located halfway between the villages of Preignac and Sauternes, with Châteaux Bastor-Lamontagne and Suduiraut as immediate neighbors. The vineyards are spread around the communes of Sauternes, Preignac, Bommes and Barsac in a selection of choice sites, with some parcels adjacent to the famed Château d’Yquem. The berries are harvested by hand in the traditional way (tries successives) by a series of selective pickings, and only the grapes which are “ready” are picked. The young wine is racked into barrels for 18 months aging before being fined and bottled, and then aged in our cellars for another couple years. Chateau Fontebride is a second wine, made with the same care and dedication, but blended from lots which are judged not quite up to Haut-Bergeron’s high standards. The Lamothes also are slowly releasing very special super cuvées, made from some of their most mature vineyards, a few of which are containing 100 yr old Semillon.
Region: Sauternes AOC
Color: Deep amber
Aroma: Dried peaches, nectarines and tropical fruits
Tasting Notes: Super concentrated ripe exotic fruits supported by laser fresh acidity. There is a clear picture of viscous honey as these age more than 5 years in the bottle but never cloying. The finish is long and dries off towards the end leaving the sensation of raw nuts and savory spices.
Food Pairings: Classics like Roquefort and Fourme d’Ambert, desserts like Crème Brûlée, but do not be afraid to pair with main courses like smoked river fish with savory sauces, this is a french way of life in the villages.
Grape Variety: 80% Semillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc, 8% Muscadelle
Alcohol Level: 14%
Vinification: The young wine is racked into barrel for 18 months before being fined and bottled. Haut-Bergeron uses 50% new oak barrels, always aimed in keeping the fruit in front of the wood.
Notes/Facts: Ideally situated on three common, Sauternes, Bommes and Preignac, with some of its plots directly adjacent to that of Chateau d’Yquem, Haut-Bergeron is one of those high end appellation values, a value almost unmatched. Proof lies in the 2009 harvest with the cleanest and freshest expressions of the vintage.