Rabaud Promis

History of Château Rabaud Promis

Château Rabaud Promis traces its roots to the 17th century. The estate, formerly known as "champ de Rabeaud", was brought as a dowry in 1660 to Antoine de Cazeau upon his marriage to Madame Peyronne de Rabeau. The Rabeaud family name evolved over the centuries to become Rabaud. The estate remained in the hands of their descendants until the early 20th century. In 1903, the château's history took an important turn: Gaston Drouilhet de Sigalas sold part of the former estate to Adrien Promis, who named his acquisition Château Rabaud-Promis, marking the birth of one of Sauternes' great producers.

Over the decades, the estate has experienced several periods of management. After a brief reunification with Château Sigalas-Rabaud in the early 20th century, they separated again in 1952, and the Déjean family took the reins of Rabaud-Promis in 1950. Under Philippe Déjean's leadership, the estate was renovated and modernised while preserving its heritage. In 2020, the estate partnered with Jean Merlaut, owner of Château Gruaud Larose in Saint-Julien, to perpetuate and strengthen the excellence of Château Rabaud Promis wines.

Terroir and Vines of Château Rabaud Promis

The vineyard of Château Rabaud Promis extends over 33 hectares, primarily dedicated to sweet wine production. The vines benefit from an exceptional terroir situated on a ridge of clay-gravel soils, ideal for vine cultivation, offering natural drainage and perfect exposure for grape ripening. This unique terroir is marked by the presence of pebbles and stones, reminiscent of some of the great vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The grape varieties cultivated at the estate primarily consist of Sémillon (80%), Sauvignon Blanc (18%) and Muscadelle (2%). These varieties are pillars of the Sauternes appellation, each bringing distinct characteristics to the wines. Sémillon provides richness and opulence, Sauvignon Blanc brings freshness and vivacity, while Muscadelle adds delicate floral aromatic notes.

The vines, averaging 40 years in age, are planted at a density of 6,600 vines per hectare, allowing for better grape concentration. The region's specific climate, marked by morning mists from the nearby Ciron River, promotes the development of noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), an essential condition for producing great Sauternes wines.

Winemaking at Château Rabaud Promis

The winemaking process at Château Rabaud Promis is a subtle combination of tradition and modernity. The grapes are hand-harvested in several successive passes, selecting only bunches affected by noble rot, thus ensuring optimal must quality. After harvest, the grapes are pressed using pneumatic presses, allowing for gentle juice extraction.

Fermentation takes place in both stainless steel vats and French oak barrels. This approach preserves the freshness of aromas while providing the structure and complexity necessary for ageing. Château Rabaud Promis wines are then aged for 12 to 14 months in barrels, of which about 30% are new, imparting subtle aromas of vanilla, caramel, and spices.

This care taken at each winemaking step allows the estate to produce balanced wines that are both powerful and elegant, without excess sugar, to maintain a digestible and harmonious profile.

The Wines of Château Rabaud Promis

Château Rabaud Promis produces two emblematic sweet wines:

The Grand Vin of Château Rabaud Promis

The "Grand Vin" is the ultimate expression of the estate's expertise. This complex and intense wine is characterised by deep aromas of pineapple, honeysuckle, orange marmalade, with a delicate touch of caramel, particularly marked in vintages like 2001. On the palate, it reveals itself as full-bodied and powerful, with a long, persistent finish. This Sauternes has exceptional ageing potential, capable of evolving beautifully for 7 to 20 years and, for great vintages like 1988, up to 35 years. Enthusiasts can therefore expect wines at full maturity after several decades of ageing.

The "Raymond Louis" Cuvée

Since 2013, the estate has also offered a second wine named "Raymond Louis", in tribute to Raymond Louis Lanneluc, the first family member to have managed the estate. Made from younger plots, this wine is fresher and more approachable, with notes of pear and grapefruit. Less complex than the grand vin, it offers a more accessible approach to the Rabaud Promis style while maintaining lovely freshness and roundness on the palate. Its ageing potential is 4 to 8 years, making it a wine to drink sooner than the estate's first wine.

Promesse de Rabaud-Promis

Finally, the estate also offers another wine, the "Promesse de Rabaud-Promis", which well summarises the spirit of the house. Crafted with the same care as the other wines, it offers a more accessible and immediate approach, ideal for Sauternes enthusiasts seeking discovery.

The best vintages of Sauternes and Barsac, two prestigious Bordeaux appellations, include exceptional years such as 1945, 1947, 1949, 1955, 1959, and 1967, recognised for their finesse and complexity. Among more recent vintages, notable years include 1975, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, as well as the legendary 2001. Sweet wine enthusiasts will also appreciate the years 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2013. Finally, the excellent climatic conditions of recent decades have produced memorable vintages in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. These wines offer unique aromatic richness and remarkable ageing potential.

Discover the exceptional treasures of the Grands Crus Classés of Sauternes and Barsac, where each estate tells a unique story of expertise and excellence. The prestigious Château d'Yquem, Premier Grand Cru Supérieur, embodies the quintessence of Sauternes. Among the Premiers Grands Crus Classés, explore the subtleties of Château Climens and Château Coutet in Barsac, as well as the wonders of Château Guiraud, Clos Haut-Peyraguey, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Château La Tour Blanche, Château Rabaud-Promis, Château de Rayne-Vigneau, Château Rieussec, Château Sigalas-Rabaud, and Château Suduiraut in Sauternes. Each estate invites you to dive into the enchanting world of dessert wines, combining aromatic richness, finesse, and elegance, for an unforgettable sensory experience.

Château Rabaud Promis, First Growth of Sauternes, embodies the excellence of sweet wines from this prestigious appellation. Thanks to its exceptional terroir, family expertise, and commitment to sustainable viticulture, the estate produces elegant and complex wines capable of ageing for decades. Whether it's the Grand Vin of Château Rabaud Promis or the "Raymond Louis" cuvée, each wine reflects a rich history and a passion for wine passed down through generations.