Château FILHOT 1981
Château Filhot is located in Sauternes , in the Bordeaux wine region. The estate was classified as Second Grand Cru Classé in the Sauternes and Barsac Classification of 1855. After the French Revolution, the castle belonged to the Lur-Saluces family, known for its relationship with the prestigious Château d'Yquem. From 1855 to 1901, Château Filhot was known as Château Sauternes. The property is today owned and managed by Gabriel de Vaucelles , descendant of Romain de Filhot. The vineyards extend over 62 hectares at the southern end of the appellation. The soils are composed of deep gravel, clay and sand on a limestone base. Morning mists rising from the Ciron River are known to encourage the development of botrytis on grapes.
Château Filhot is a blend of botrytised Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle . The grape varieties are vinified separately in stainless steel vats for 10 to 30 days. They are aged for around 2 years in vats and French oak barrels, a third of which are new . The wines are then blended and bottled.
In Sauternes, the growing season for the 1981 vintage began with a frosty spring, marked by a few frosts. However, bud break and flowering managed to continue successfully. The start of summer was cool, with varied rainy spells, and these gloomy conditions continued throughout the season. Finally, in August, good weather and the humidity essential for the development of botrytis arrived. The long, hot days continued into September.
Grape varieties: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle