Château Baret - White 2019
Château Baret, located in Villenave d’Ornon in the heart of the Pessac Léognan appellation, is one of the oldest estates in the region, with origins dating back to the 13th century. Long owned by the De Baret family, it now belongs to the Ballande family, who have undertaken a major renovation program of the vineyard and the winery. The gravel and fine clay soils, typical of the Bordeaux left bank, give the wines an aromatic elegance and a mineral subtlety sought after in any great white from Pessac Léognan. The estate focuses on enhancing sauvignon blanc and sémillon, favoring precise aging methods that preserve freshness, energy, and complexity. The 2019 Baret white is one of the most accomplished vintages in recent years, the result of a warm but balanced season, offering both maturity and aromatic purity.
Château Baret White 2019 is made from a majority blend of sauvignon blanc complemented by sémillon, harvested at perfect ripeness from the estate's highest quality plots. The harvest is manual, with meticulous sorting to keep only healthy and aromatic berries. After gentle pressing, the musts ferment in tanks and barrels, with a small proportion of new barrels to add volume without masking the fruit's precision. Aging on fine lees for several months enriches the texture and complicates the aromatic palette, while maintaining great tension. The generous and bright 2019 vintage stands out for a remarkable balance between aromatic richness and freshness, with a style perfectly representative of the dry whites of Pessac Léognan.
On the palate, Château Baret White 2019 reveals a pale yellow color with silvery reflections. The nose opens with notes of ripe lemon, grapefruit, white peach, and white flowers, mingled with subtle toasted and vanilla nuances from the aging. On the palate, the attack is lively and elegant, supported by a beautiful tension that highlights the purity of the sauvignon, while the sémillon brings roundness and depth. The texture is both fresh and enveloping, marked by a straight minerality and a touch of sweet almond. The finish is long, precise, and lemony, with a return of discreet smoky notes reminiscent of the gravel terroir. This 2019 will perfectly accompany sea bass ceviche, oysters, grilled fish, creamy poultry, aged goat cheeses, or an asparagus risotto.
Grape varieties: sauvignon blanc, sémillon.
