Château Couhins 2016

A Pessac-Léognan white wine, long on the palate

Château Couhins white is a Grand Cru Classé de Graves produced in the appellation of Pessac-Léognan. The estate, with a total area of 6 hectares, benefits from a terroir of clay hillsides on a limestone base. The ageing of the wine is carried out in oak barrels (of which 10% are of new oak), for 9 months on average. The 2016 vintage blends 93% Sauvignon Blanc with 7% Sauvignon Gris.

Following a mild, rainy winter, budburst began one month in advance, around March 25^th. The heavy rainfall continued in the cool spring, resulting in heavy pressure from mildew. Flowering occurred late, starting May 30^th on the earliest plots. Only 10 days of rain were observed between May 21^st and June 19^th, allowing for a magnificent flowering of great evenness during the fine weather on June 4^th. From June 20^th, summer truly was in full swing with high temperatures and severe dryness. The precipitation shortfall that occurred this summer was close to those of vintages 2005 and 2010. The veraison was also even, in direct continuity with flowering. The hot and dry climatic conditions have allowed, in particular, a rapid breakdown of malic acid, while maintaining low pH values. Rain on September 13^th revived the ripeness of the grapes. There was only one occurrence of rain until the end of the harvest on the 20^th of October.

At tasting, the Château Couhins white 2016 reveals aromas of peaches, pears and passion fruit. The wine is balanced in the mouth, combining roundness, a beautiful volume on the attack and a pleasant freshness, which lends a fantastic length.