Château Bastor-Montagne
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The Château Bastor-Montagne estate in Préignac, one of the core communes of the appellation, has existed in this form since the early 18th century, was founded by the Chevalier de la Montaigne and today belongs to the owners of the Champagne producer Canard-Duchêne.
Château Bastor-Montagne is surrounded by vineyards that have always been considered well ventilated, cool and surprisingly homogeneous - which is of crucial importance in the Sauternes and Barsac regions. The approximately fifty hectares of vines are planted on a terroir of sandy and gravelly deposits over a calcareous subsoil - a rather light, permeable structure that gives the Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc a freshness that is not found everywhere in Sauternes.
The history of the estate begins with the Chevalier de la Montaigne, whose ownership of Bastor-Montagne was first clearly documented around 1711. Over the following centuries, the estate changed hands several times. In the 19th century, the first structural and viticultural modernisations were carried out, which consolidated the reputation of the estate. After a period of various owners in the 20th century, the Fabre family took over the estate and initiated a process of modernisation before Château Bastor-Montagne finally passed to a group of investors led by Canard-Duchêne and InVivo. Under this management, organic farming was introduced and the style was further refined. Today, Bastor-Montagne stands for a Sauternes that respects its origins and yet seeks a clear, modern expression.
For some years now, the winery has been pursuing a consistently contemporary course: organic farming, careful manual labour and precise harvesting of the botrytis without forcing the grapes into overripe heaviness. As a result, the sweetness is never overpowering, but finely interwoven, supported by a lively, citrusy acidity and a bright aroma reminiscent of orange blossom, mirabelle plums and candied citrus fruit. The wines show depth, but also the calm elegance that arises when concentration is not achieved through extraction, but through patience, balance and the right amount of botrytis. Stylistically, Bastor-Montagne thus stands for a lighter, clearer interpretation of Sauternes without sacrificing intensity. The wines have substance, but remain accessible, never seem ponderous and develop a quiet, honeyed complexity with a little maturity. These are Sauternes that shine as soloists as well as in the classic combination with pâtisserie, blue cheese or poultry dishes with a slight sweetness and, above all, show how much elegance there is in this appellation when origin and style are in balance. In addition to the classic Sauternes, the winery now focuses on dry white wines and excellent crémants.
© Images: Château Bastor-Montagne
