As a former royal estate and a member of the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, Château Bastor-Lamontagne has been owned by the Helfrich family since 2018, maintaining the reputation of this remarkable wine. Biodiversity conservation is a strong hallmark of the estate, certified organic since 2016.
Château Bastor Lamontagne covers a total area of 90 hectares, with 50 hectares dedicated to vineyards and 40 hectares to forests. The biodiversity-focused approach and meticulous care given to the vines, including an annual restructuring involving the uprooting and replanting of two hectares, contribute to the creation of exceptional cuvées. The 2023 vintage, marked by magnificent harvests during the Indian summer, holds great promise. Ideal weather conditions led to the rapid ripening of the grapes. The harvest of gray sauvignons began as early as September 20. Welcoming rains at the end of the month favored rapid and uniform botrytization, coupled with persistent warmth, resulting in a selective harvest from October 2 to 16, nearly 15 days before the 2022 harvest. Pietro Pastore, the estate's operations manager, already predicts an incredibly attractive profile, characterized by juices with marked acidity and a pH close to that of dry white wines. This profile perfectly aligns with the preferences of consumers seeking fresh wines while preserving the aromatic purity and toasty notes characteristic of the Grands Vins de Sauternes. Fermented in 225-liter barrels (one-third of which are new barrels), the wines undergo ageing for 12 to 14 months. This ageing process gives rise to a structured, elegant wine with excellent ageing potential.
Once reserved for special occasions, Sauternes wines have become more accessible, accompanying informal tasting moments. The development of aperitif dinners and mixology now offers great opportunities to enjoy these wines. Château Bastor-Lamontagne, with its freshness and aromatic palette, is particularly suitable for these convivial moments. So Sauternes, one of the estate's cuvées, is part of the revival of Sauternes wines, revealing a well-measured blend ideal for cocktail consumption. The world of gastronomy is also revisiting traditional food and wine pairings, now suggesting Sauternes with refined exotic flavors, enhanced by the tension between sweetness and acidity. At Château Bastor-Lamontagne, pairings with honey-glazed pork or beef tataki with soy sauce are particularly appreciated. More accessible and versatile, the openness to new tasting possibilities makes Sauternes a must for wine enthusiasts. Want to discover Château Bastor-Lamontagne? Its doors are open to offer you a convivial wine tasting experience, thanks to a diverse oenotourism and hospitality offering. Don't hesitate!
Photos : Château Bastor-Lamontagne
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