Château Fontaine Sauternes 2023

by Château Fontaine

Grape variety

Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle

Region

Fargues de Langon (AOC Sauternes), France

Style

white

Alcohol

13.5%

Vintage

2023

Price: CHF 26 In stock

About this wine

Sauternes is made possible by Botrytis cinerea — noble rot — a benevolent mould that concentrates sugar and flavour by shrivelling the grapes on the vine. Château Fontaine's plots sit in Fargues de Langon, the same commune as Château Rieussec and within reach of the great Sauternes names. Harvest is done by successive passes, picking only over-ripened grapes affected by the noble rot; fermentation follows at low temperature; 12 months in barrel completes the wine. The 2023 is lighter on its feet than many Sauternes — medium sweetness, fine acidity, elegant rather than lush. Mango, melon, honeycomb, a savoury whisper. A wine that works equally well with foie gras, Roquefort, or alone.

Tasting notes

Deep golden yellow with an amber hue. The nose is aromatic and inviting — mango, melon, sweetgrass and honeycomb, with a savoury whisper of aged cheese adding intrigue. On the palate, this is Sauternes of genuine elegance rather than power: medium sweetness, fine and lithe, with a good core of acidity keeping everything honest. Long, clean finish.

Aromas

honey, mango, melon, honeycomb, apricot, candied orange, vanilla

Critic scores

• Vivino: 3.9/5

Structure

body medium · tannin none · acidity high · sweetness sweet

Serving

Serve at 8–10°C · Drink 2025–2035

Food pairings

Foie gras, Roquefort, Crème brûlée, Spiced duck with orange

Best for

After dinner. Roquefort and nowhere to be.

From the winemaker

90% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Muscadelle from Fargues de Langon; selective harvest by successive passes of botrytis-affected grapes only; fermentation at 20°C; 12 months barrel maturation.

Editor's note

Sauternes is not a category for every shop, but it should be on every serious list. Château Fontaine's plots in Fargues de Langon sit in the same commune as Château Rieussec — the geography alone earns attention. The 2023 is lighter and more elegant than textbook sweet Sauternes: medium sweetness, fine acidity, and all the botrytis character you come to this appellation for. Mango, melon, honeycomb, a provocative whisper of aged cheese. Open it with Roquefort. Thank yourself later.

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