Immersion in the heart of Château Gilette

Château Gilette is a small Sauternes cru, but legendary for its old vintages.

What is the unusual history of this estate?

The Médeville family has owned Château Gilette since the 18th century, following the marriage of Numa Médeville and Marie Despujols.

It was in the 1930s, with the arrival of Réné Médeville, their grandson, that the story took a new direction. This man of passion and conviction was convinced that barrel aging for his wines was unnecessary, and that the vanilla notes were naturally provided by botrytis. From then on, he let his Sauternes age slowly in concrete tanks. Then, when he left for the 1939-1945 war, he asked his wife not to touch the vats. When he returned, the wines had retained all their expected freshness…

In 1959, his son Christian joined his father at the château. They tried longer storage in concrete vats for up to 15 to 20 years, and were totally won over by the natural ageing process.

Today, Château Gilette comprises 4.5 hectares of vines in the Sauternes region and is managed by Julie Gonet-Médeville, René’s granddaughter, and her husband Xavier Gonet, who also owns Château Les Justices and Gonet-Médeville champagnes.

What is the style of the wines?

Château Gilette wines are often described as rich, complex and balanced, and arguably the fruitiest of the great Sauternes. What’s more, its unique freshness and flavors of honey, apricot, citrus and tropical fruit are much sought-after by lovers of old Sauternes and collectors alike.

What’s the latest vintage from Château Gilette?

In March 2023, the last vintage released was 1999.

What also makes this Sauternes château so special is its exceptional ageing method, which is probably unique in the world. Indeed, the grapes are aged in epoxy concrete vats, preserved from oxidation, for a remarkable 20 years.

How many bottles are produced per vintage?

Château Gilette is truly atypical on the market and produces very small quantities, between 5,000 and 6,000 bottles a year, which makes them exceptionally prized. Château Gilette only produces in good years.

What does “Crème de Tête” mean on some Château Gilette labels?

“Crème de tête” is an expression applied to Sauternes wines, designating a wine made from the first sorting of the harvest, when the grapes are harvested almost “candied” because they have dried so much, either through over-ripening or the action of botrytis (noble rot).

What are the best vintages of Château Gilette?

The best vintages of Château Gilette are: 1929, 1949, 1950, 1959, 1967 and more recent vintages: 1975, 1988, 1989 and 1990.

The SoDivin team’s favorites

CHÂTEAU GILETTE Crème de tête 1989

Rated 19/20 by Revue du Vin de France

Tasting January 2013

See Château Gilette Crème de tête 1989

CHÂTEAU GILETTE Crème de tête 1967

Rated 96/100 by Robert Parker – Wine Advocate

“Château Gilette Crème de Tête 1967 is perhaps the wine that really convinced me of its excellence. It has the best bouquet of several older vintages: tangerine, beeswax, pine needles and cumin, which opens up wonderfully with aeration. The palate is beautifully balanced, with notes of allspice, dried orange peel, marmalade and white pepper. This wine is very harmonious and elegant, with a long, tender finish not far removed from a Tokaji Aszu! It’s delicious.”

Tasting June 2014

See Château Gilette Crème de tête 1967

CHÂTEAU GILETTE Crème de Tête 1959

Rated 4/5 by Michael Broadbent

“Amber orange, waxy sheen; lovely ripe apricot bouquet and flavor, crisp, excellent acidity, long caramel finish.”

Tasted in 1997

See Château Gilette Crème de Tête 1959