Château Gilette — A Monument of Patience and Audacity Led by the Gonet-Médeville Family

Located in Preignac, at the heart of the Sauternes appellation, Château Gilette is a singular estate in the Bordeaux landscape. Under the stewardship of Julie Gonet-Médeville and Xavier Gonet, this confidential cru crafts lusciously sweet wines of extraordinary depth, built on a philosophy rooted in long-term ageing and purity. In an appellation dominated by barrel-aged wines, Gilette offers a radical, precise, and deeply authentic style.

Terroir & Grape Varieties

• Vineyard size: 4.5 ha.
• Soils: fine gravel over clay and sand, offering excellent drainage and natural freshness.
• Microclimate: morning mists promote controlled development of botrytis cinerea.

The varietal makeup is dominated by Sémillon (≈ 90%), complemented by Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle, adding lift, florality, and aromatic brightness.

Viticulture & Philosophy

• Hand harvesting with successive passes, selecting only grapes at peak noble rot.
• Extremely low yields for ultimate concentration.
• Rigorous fruit selection resulting in a single cuvée per vintage: the legendary Crème de Tête.

The estate is uncompromising in its pursuit of absolute quality, even if it means producing tiny quantities to preserve fruit purity.

Vinification & Ageing

• Gentle vinification: soft extraction and controlled fermentation.
• Ageing exclusively in sealed concrete tanks, completely protected from oxygen.
• Duration: 15 to 20 years, with no barrel ageing whatsoever.

This unique protocol preserves freshness, energy, acid tension, and aromatic complexity, resulting in wines that are crystalline, powerful, and remarkably drinkable.

Signature Wines

• Château Gilette — “Crème de Tête” — the estate’s flagship wine, produced only in the greatest vintages, and released after 15 to 20 years of ageing. Deep gold color, complex aromas of caramelized pineapple, quince, wildflower honey, and beeswax. Rich yet vibrant palate, driven by lively acidity that lifts the sweetness. Exceptional ageing potential.
• Château Les Justices — the second wine. Made with the same care but aged less extensively, offering a more immediate expression: generous, fruity, and still marked by the signature freshness of Gilette.

A Singular Presence in Sauternes

Against the grain of traditional Sauternes winemaking, Château Gilette champions a bold and timeless vision of great sweet Bordeaux:

• No oak
• No compromise
• All in service of fruit expression and depth over time

A mythic estate whose radical philosophy has earned worldwide respect among connoisseurs of slow-aged, soulful wines.