Château Raymond Lafon
Located in the heart of the Sauternes area, this winery comprises 18 hectares, 16 of which planted with 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. The maximum yield by law is 25 hectolitres per hectare. The yields at Raymond-Lafon average only 8 to 10 hectolitres per hectare; in other words, one vine will produce only one glass of delicious wine. Over several pickings, the grapes are harvested one by one according to their level of maturity. In some years, this can result in up to ten selected hand harvests. This alone lets one appreciate the great value of this wine.
While it could not benefit from the Grand Cru classification of 1855, since it was founded only a few years later, Château Raymond-Lafon has been rated as one of the top wineries since its inception. In 1972, Francine and Pierre Meslier became owners of the castle. Pierre Meslier, an agricultural engineer from Montpellier, was able to develop his great experience in the Sauternes region at the legendary Château d'Yquem, where he was in charge of vinification for 26 years. His quest for perfection and excellence modelled after Yquem was transferred to Raymond-Lafon of course, and later passed onto his children, who are now responsible for the estate.
Each vintage from Château Raymond-Lafon delights us with its specific characteristics, with a firework of aromas and subtle sweetness, whether you decide to drink it young or mature. Served slightly chilled as an aperitif, it stimulates the palate. Raymond-Lafon is also a festive wine, which is best suited to delicious goose liver, oysters, game and poultry, soft cheese as well as pastries and desserts of all kinds. It is worth trying various combinations. It is a veritable delicacy that you can enjoy at an affordable price when compared to many neighbouring estates, above all Château d'Yquem.
Sweet wines from Château Raymond Lafon
from Château Raymond Lafon
Producer
Cascina Barisél / Franco Penna
With just 5 hectares, Franco Penna's winery is small but exquisite. The estate near Canelli, east of Alba, comprises only the very best south-facing sites with calcareous soils. Franco's father Enrico, who bought the estate in the 1960s, obviously knew what he was doing.
Massena / Jaysen Collins
Dan Standish and Jaysen Collins were college friends, and in the late 1990s they decided to put their talents together to produce wine. Recently, Jaysen Collins has taken charge of the "Massena" project on his own.The grapes are purchased from growers in Greenock, Kalimna and Koonunga Hill in the northwest Barossa Valley.
Montepeloso
The Montepeloso winery, located in Maremma, owned by Swiss co-proprietor and estate manager Fabio Chiarelotto, has earned a reputation for outstanding red wines. With a combination of mostly traditional and indigenous grape varieties, but also international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, complex wines with a Mediterranean character are produced. This Tuscan gem is hidden in the hills of Suvereto, near the Tyrrhenian coast — one of the hottest areas of Tuscany.