Chateau Rahoul Graves Blanc 2022 75 cl.

Château Rahoul Blanc is made from Semillon (53-70%) and Sauvignon Blanc, which are harvested manually separately for each parcel, when the grapes are optimally ripe. The grapes are transported to the cellar in small boxes to avoid crushing the bunches and pressing of the grapes takes place under protected conditions, all this to avoid oxidation. The alcoholic fermentation takes place in small barriques (15-20% new depending on the vintage) followed by maturation in the same casks for 8-9 months, with the wine’s “leak” (sediment).

This “haute couture” treatment, as it is called at the castle, produces a white Graves of extremely high quality. The predominance of Sémillon ensures good body and a very meaty character, while Sauvignon Blanc adds great complexity in aroma and bite. The color is light golden and shiny. In the fragrance you will find fresh, crisp shades of citrus fruits and green pears, as well as discreet notes of vanilla and more exotic notes of mango at the end. The taste is meaty, a little smoky at first, but quickly develops towards the harmonious with a good velor at the end. It is a white wine that can withstand several years of maturation and is as if born for gastronomy.

Try it with grilled fish, seafood bisque or a strong fish soup.

The history behind Château Rahoul goes all the way back to 1646, when knight Guillaume Rahoul built his residence near Portets in the Graves area and planted vines at the same time. However, it is only after the French Revolution that the castle is really noted for its wines. In the 2nd edition (1868) of Féret’s famous Bordeaux wine guide, Château Rahoul is thus placed among the 10 best wine castles in Graves. At the time, the château was owned by the famous wine merchant and shipowner in Bordeaux, Pierre Balguerie, whose initials still adorn the château’s entrance to this day.

In the 20th century, the castle had changing owners, but the biggest improvements occurred when Alain Thiénot took over the castle in 1986, and not least when the wine company Dourthe entered into a collaboration with Thiénot in 2007. Both parties have thus invested a lot of resources in bringing Château Rahoul back to being one of the best wine producers in Graves.

Today, the castle has over 40 hectares. vineyards (of which 5 ha. produce white wine) spread over no fewer than 54 parcels and on 5 different terroirs (in the areas of Portets, Podensac, Illats, Saint-Selvé and Arbanats). This diversity is undoubtedly one of the secrets behind Château Rahoul’s ability to produce wines of great complexity and quality, almost regardless of vintage. The soils mainly consist of sand and pebbles (graves) which produce more elegant and velvety wines, which is precisely a characteristic of the wines from Château Rahoul.