Sauternes Château de Mayne 2023

The Sauternes from Chateau du Mayne La Merci is a sweet botrytized wine characterized by distinctive aromas of candied fruit and saffron that invite tasting. At the helm of the winery, known until 2016 as Chateau du Mayne, is the Bourjade family, represented by Gilles, the project leader, Brigitte, a skilled taster and communicator, and their daughter Caroline, responsible for the commercial and communication aspects. The three renamed the property Chateau du Mayne La Merci to pay tribute to a series of circumstances interpreted as divine signs. Chateau du Mayne was also the birthplace of Marie Thérèse Charlotte de Lamourous, who lived in the 18th century and founded the Opera of Mercy, declared "venerable" in 1989.

Chateau du Mayne La Merci Sauternes is made from a blend of Sémillon (70%), Sauvignon Blanc (20%), and Muscadelle (10%) grapes, sourced from 45-year-old vines cultivated according to organic farming principles on silica- and gravel-rich soils. The harvest is carried out in several passes, selecting clusters affected by noble rot each time, a phenomenon caused by the Botrytis cinerea fungus favored by the area's unique microclimate. The grapes are then vinified white through gentle pressing and subsequent alcoholic fermentation of the must in French oak barrels, 30% of which are new. The wine matures in these barrels for 18–24 months before final bottling.

In the glass, Chateau du Mayne La Merci Sauternes reveals a warm golden-yellow hue with intense amber reflections. The aromatic profile is characterized by vivid notes of pineapple jam, candied lemon peel, figs, sweet spices, and saffron. Despite its evident sweetness, the tasting surprises with finesse and verticality, offering a complex and deep progression that concludes with sensations of candied fruit and spices.