Château Sigalas-Rabaud: Vineyards
The vineyards of Château Sigalas-Rabaud have not changed significantly since the time the estate was divided with the sale of vineyards and the birth of Château Rabaud-Promis in 1903. Thus today they account for just 14.25 hectares of land, leading to the frequently stated claim that this is the smallest premier cru in Sauternes. I am not convinced this has always been the case, as at the time Clos Haut-Peyraguey came into the hands of Bernard Magrez it had 12 hectares, but subsequent expansion of that estate means that today Château Sigalas-Rabaud is certainly the smallest premier cru in the appellation. The Château Sigalas-Rabaud vines border those of Château Rabaud-Promis, perhaps unsurprisingly, as well as Château de Rayne-Vigneau, near the town of Bommes, in the north-west corner of the Sauternes appellation. The Ciron river, so important in engendering mists and botrytis, lies a very short distance to the west.
The vineyards can be divided into two principal sections. The first sits at an altitude of 70 to 80 metres above sea level, is south-facing, and the soils underfoot are rich in gravel, over a bed of clay. At a slightly lower altitude, between 40 and 60 metres above sea level, lies the second section, also south-facing, a terrace of vines planted on gravel, with a small amount of sand and less clay than can be found on the slopes. The vines are 85% Semillon and 14% Sauvignon Blanc, with a tiny 1% smattering of Muscadelle, planted at a density of 6,666 vines per hectare. They average about 50 years of age, with many older vines in existence, the estate having largely escaped the destructive force of the 1956 frost. The proportion of Sauvignon Blanc is a little higher than can be found at many domaines at the start of the 21st century, but Château Sigalas-Rabaud has long been characterised by the presence of this variety. In recent times the old system of planting, with one Sauvignon Blanc vine for every six Semillon, could still be found.
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