Château Gilette "Crème de Tête" 1979 - Sauternes

The Château Gilette Enigma

Located in Preignac, Château Gilette is an absolute exception in the world of great sweet wines. Under the impetus of the Medeville family, the estate refused barrel aging for its prestigious "Crème de Tête" cuvée. The wine is aged in underground concrete vats, protected from the air, for a minimum period of 20 years. Yields are among the lowest in the world, averaging 9 hectoliters per hectare, and reaching up to 12 HL/HA in very good years. This radical choice allows time to be stopped: the wine retains the vibrant freshness of the fruit while acquiring the complexity of very old vintages.

The 1979 Vintage: A Masterful Crème de Tête

The 1979 vintage produced wines with a remarkable balance between sugar and acidity. At Gilette, this year allowed for the extraction of a "Crème de Tête" (the selection of the best cuvées) of great purity. After decades of slumber in vats, the wine was bottled when it reached its perfect harmony. This is a wine that defies the laws of classic oenology.

A Collector's Bottle

The bottle bears the signature of Christian Medeville on its capsule, adorned with the family crest evoking the fluvial history of Sauternes. The aesthetic of the label has remained unchanged, symbolizing tradition and patience. This 1979 bottle is a rare opportunity to taste one of Bordeaux's most secret wines.

Bottle Condition

This bottle is in exemplary condition. The label is clean and perfectly legible. The capsule is immaculate, with no signs of seepage, which is crucial for a sweet wine of this age. The fill level is excellent (high shoulder), promising a memorable tasting.

Tasting Notes

The nose is a paradoxical explosion: notes of fresh exotic fruits (pineapple, mango) mingle with tertiary aromas of beeswax, dried apricot, and sweet spices. On the palate, the texture is unctuous but carried by a laser-like acidity that prevents any heaviness. The finish is ethereal, saline, and of infinite length on candied orange peel.

Food and Wine Pairings

• Pan-fried foie gras with roasted peaches
• Spicy Thai cuisine (green curry)
• Blue cheeses (Roquefort, Stilton)
• Quince Tarte Tatin

Serving Suggestions

• Serving temperature: 10-12°C
• Aeration: As this wine is not oxidized by wood, it greatly benefits from being opened or decanted 1 hour beforehand to free itself from its long slumber.
• Cellaring: Immortal. This 1979 can still last several decades without weakening.