1996 Sauternes, Chateau Filhot

Deep amber in the glass, this mature Sauternes shimmers with warmth and grace. The nose is enchanting with honeyed apricot, candied orange peel, and toasted almonds, meeting hints of saffron, crème brûlée, and dried flowers. On the palate, it’s luscious yet balanced, with rich layers of caramelised stone fruit and citrus zest lifted by vibrant acidity. The texture is silky and unhurried, gliding into a long, elegant finish where sweetness, spice, and freshness linger in perfect harmony. Time has lent it both complexity and calm....... a golden thread of history in every sip.

For when: dessert deserves reverence, or conversation lasts past midnight.
Pairs with: Roquefort cheese, tarte tatin, or crème caramel.
If this wine were a memory, it’d be candlelight on old lace - timeless and softly glowing.

Château Filhot, founded in 1709, is one of the oldest and most distinguished estates in Sauternes, located in the commune of Barsac. Its 62 hectares of vineyards are planted predominantly to Sémillon, with smaller portions of Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle, thriving on gravelly, clay-limestone soils that encourage the development of Botrytis cinerea - the noble rot that defines Sauternes.

Under the stewardship of the Vaucelles family, Château Filhot has preserved its classical style: hand-harvested botrytised grapes, slow fermentation, and extended ageing in French oak barrels. The 1996 vintage, marked by a long, cool ripening season, produced wines of remarkable freshness and definition. Today, this Filhot shows the estate’s signature balance, sumptuous sweetness held aloft by poise, precision, and quiet nobility.