Château D’Arche - Soleil D’Arche Sauternes 2018

SEMILLON 90%

SAUVIGNON 10%

Château d’Arche was created in 1580 by Henry d’Arche, dean of the city of Bordeaux. At the time, his wines were already some of the most famous Sauternes. During the 1789 Revolution, the Château was taken over by the state and it was another two centuries before the estate was reunifed. Château d’Arche joined the Grand Cru Classé classification in1855.

Located 40km south of Bordeaux, on the upper parts of the village of Sauternes, Château d’Arche is built on the summit of hills which overlook its prestigious neighbors, notably Yquem and Guiraud. This exceptional location, along with its varied soils, favors wines with very specifc taste qualities: strength from the gravel soils, aromas from the clays and elegance from the alluvium. Its uniqueness which gives it all of its richness is based on where the vines are planted, entirely on slopes on 53 hectares.

VINIFICATION

At maturity, the grapes are harvested by hand and are subject to a rigorous selection. The wines are matured for 6 months in oak barrels before bottling.

Type of soil: 70% Graves, 30% Clay-limestone Vineyard Siz: 50 hectares Average age of the vineyard: 45 years

TASTING NOTE

Fruity on the nose. Quince aromas shine through, combined with lychee and green apple notes plus a touch of beeswax. Fruity and juicy on the palate with a good structure of acidity and a rounded style. This wine offers up crystallised citrus and green apple notes, with some lighter exotic fruit touches and a hint of orange.

Harvest from September 25th to October 31st 2018

The spring of 2018 was marked by complicated weather conditions that prevented large production quantities, but did not have any impact on quality. Botrytis cinerea (also known as ‘noble rot’) was delayed but finally arrived in the last week of September. The appellation was affected by hailstorms, but Château d’Arche came through unscathed. 2018 offers a particularly rich, fresh wine.

ALCOHOL CONTENT 13.5%