Wines of France / Bordeaux / Sauternes / Château Haut-Mayne

Château Haut-Mayne Sauternes

Picture of Preignac Map
Preignac, Gironde

Château Haut-Mayne is located on a plateau in Preignac in the northern part of the Sauternes appellation. 
​Sauternes, appellation of the primo nectar of Bordeaux, is home to Chateau d'Yquem, Château Rieussec, Château Climens, Château Suduiraut, Château Guiraud and other legendary producers. While we're not going to mention Haut-Mayne in the same breath as these other renowned domaines, they do make wonderful Sauternes, from mostly Semillon, that (surprisingly for Sauternes) won't break the bank.
The Roumazeilles family owns Haut-Mayne as well as the nearby winery Château Grillon. The Haut-Mayne vineyard is comprised of 10 hectares (25 acres) planted on clay and limestone. The grapes are picked during three or four passes through the vineyards, and only when the grapes have achieved noble rot (botrytis). They then undergo a further sorting just before pressing.
 
After being completely destemmed, the grapes are placed in a hand operated basket press, where the juice then runs into cement tanks or barrels. The maceration is relatively long, and all the wine is ultimately aged in barrel, of which 25% is new each year.
 
The final blend is normally 85% Sémillon and 15% Sauvignon Blanc. Bottling takes place after approximately 18 months in wood.
Château Haut-Mayne Sauternes
The grapes are picked during 3 or 4 passes through the vineyards, with a further sorting just before pressing. After being completely destemmed, they are placed in a hand-operated basket press, where the juice then runs into cement tanks or barrels. The maceration is relatively long, and all the wine is ultimately aged in barrel, of which 25% is new each year, for around 18 months. The final blend is normally 85% Sémillon and 15% Sauvignon Blanc. The wine has lovely notes of dried apricot and honey, buttressed by lovely underlying acidity. To be enjoyed as a holiday treat (or any time) with a cheese course, foie gras, or desserts like pumpkin pie or crème brûlée.
Press at Château Haut Mayne