HAUTE DENSITE
2005 Vintage
PRESENTATION
Appellation : Pouilly-Fumé
Name : Haute Densité du Château de Tracy
Owner : Comtesse A. d’Estutt d’Assay
Geographical location : Village of Tracy sur Loire
Vineyard location : Plateau des Champs de Cri
Exposure:South-west
Soil: Kimmeridgian and Portlandian limestone
Area:
Grape variety: Sauvignon
Average age of the vines: 8 years
2005 yield: 30 hl/ha
Total production: 30 hl
Alcohol content : 13°4
VITICULTURE
This wine is produced from high-density vines (17,000 vines per hectare; the standard density for the appellation is 7,000 vines per hectare). Competition between the vines is therefore greater. Each plant has to draw its reserves from deep within the soil. Vigorous growth is controlled and the plants are healthier.The specific pruning of the plants is the result of rigorous research and intensive work on the vines (such as disbudding and thinning out of leaves). The vegetation is less dense, far less vulnerable to disease and each plant bears a maximum of two or three bunches. The resulting grapes have a very concentrated and complex flavour.
VINIFICATION
The grape harvest began on 14th September. Skin maceration with a slow, gentle pressing to produce the highest quality juice. No chaptalisation was necessary, due to the exceptional maturity of the grapes (natural alcohol was 13.4 % Vol). 85% of the wine was matured for one year in stainless steel vats, with regular stirring of the lees (bâtonnage). The remaining 15% was fermented and aged in oak barrels. The two wines were then blended and matured for a further year to enhance the natural harmony and complexity of the wine.
THE WINE
Appearance: Bright pale straw, with gold highlights.
Nose : Rich and complex, with a succession of mineral and fruity notes (grapefruit and raisins) with a hint of
cinnamon, caramel and blackcurrant buds.
Palate : Full, crisp attack with underlying power and richness. The mid palate has a good structure which enhances the freshness, the fullness and power, giving a slightly tannic sensation. The final flavour is rich and appetising with great length ending on slightly roasted notes.
HAUTE DENSITE
2008 Vintage
PRESENTATION
Appellation : Pouilly-Fumé
Name : Haute Densité du Château de Tracy
Owner : Comtesse A. d’Estutt d’Assay
Geographical location : Village of Tracy sur Loire
Vineyard location : Plateau des Champs de Cri
Exposure: South-west
Soil: Kimmeridgian and Portlandian limestone
Area :
Grape variety: Sauvignon
Average age of the vines: 12 years
2008 yield: 30 hl/ha
Total production: 30 hl
Alcohol content: 13°8
Acidity: 5.5
VITICULTURE
This wine is produced from high-density vines (17,000 vines per hectare; the standard density for the appellation is 7,000 vines per hectare). Competition between the vines is therefore greater. Each plant has to draw its reserves from deep within the soil.Vigorous growth is controlled and the plants are healthier.
The specific pruning of the plants is the result of rigorous research and intensive work on the vines (such as disbudding and thinning out of leaves). The vegetation is less dense, far less vulnerable to disease and each plant bears a maximum of two or three bunches. The resulting grapes have a very concentrated and complex flavour.
VINIFICATION
The harvest took place on 10th October and the grapes were slowly and gently pressed to obtain the highest quality must to be kept for the Haute Densité cuvée. No chaptalisation was necessary due to the exceptional maturity of the grapes. 85% of the wine was matured in vats for one year with regular stirring of the lees. The remaining 15% was vinified in wooden barrels. At the end of the year the wines were blended and left to mature for a further 12 months to enhance the natural harmony of the wine.
THE WINE
Pale : straw with a golden tinge.
Nose : rich and smoky, dominated by aromas of truffles and asparagus. Notes of smokiness and toastiness (tobacco and taost) and crystallised fruit, all rolled into one.
Palate : The first sensation is of a full-bodied wine with lovely freshness and structure. Aromas of vanilla and toast dominate and persist thanks to the support of the oak tannins.
101 RANGS du CHATEAU DE TRACY
2008 Vintage
PRESENTATION
Appellation : Pouilly-Fumé
Name : 101 rangs du Château de Tracy
Owner : Comtesse A. d’Estutt d’Assay
Geographical Location :
Vineyard Location : Hill overlooking
Exposure: South-West facing
Soil: Clay and flint
Area:
Grape variety: Sauvignon
Average age of the vines: 55 years
2008 yield: 35 hl/ha
Of which selected for this cuvee: 18 hl
Alcohol content: 13.4%
Acidity: 5.6 g/l
VINIFICATION
The grapes were harvested manually on 17th October.
After grape selecting at both the vineyard and the cellar, the pneumatic pressing was slow and gentle to obtain the highest quality juice. The wine was vinified and matured in
TASTING NOTES
Gold and green highlights, brillant and perfectly clear. The nose expresses notes of wood, mocha and crème de marrons. It then opens up with notes of apricots and grapefruit. The aromatic expression is very fine.The initial attack is crisp. The middle palate is rounded and subtle, while the freshness progressively reveals itself. The structure is full-bodied and well-balanced. The finish is long and fresh with slightly tannic notes, leaving pleasant aromas of coffee and praline.
CHÂTEAU DE TRACY
2006 Vintage
PRESENTATION
Appellation : Pouilly-Fumé
Name : Château de Tracy
Owner: Comtesse A. d’Estutt d’Assay
Geographical Location:
Vineyard Location: On slopes overlooking the
Exposure: South-west
Soil:
Area:
Grape variety: Sauvignon
Average age of the vines: 24 years
Average yield: over 5 years 43 hl/ha
2006 yield: 31 hl/ha
Total production: 1138 hl
Of which selected for the Chateau de Tracy 750 hl
Alcohol content: 13°1
Acidity: 4.6 g/l
THE HARVEST
After a cool, humid start to the season, the vines slowly began their vegetative growth. A sudden heat wave in June accelerated this vegetative growth and occasionally led to few a cases of millerandage (flowers drop before setting). Throughout the season the weather remained warm and dry, indicating a low yield. The harvest started on 15th September. The crop was healthy and in excellent condition. The grapes were magnificent and aromatic and were picked at optimum maturity.
TASTING NOTES
Nose: Typical aromas; rhubarb and floral (acacia flower) notes, followed by grapefruit and minerality.
Palate: This Pouilly-Fumé has great complexity. The fullness and structure are underlined by very fine acidity which gives the wine a stimulating freshness. The floral, fruity aromas are balanced, persistent and typical of
CHÂTEAU DE TRACY
2007 Vintage
PRESENTATION
Appellation : Pouilly-Fumé
Name : Château de Tracy
Owner: Comtesse A. d’Estutt d’Assay
Geographical Location:
Vineyard Location: On slopes overlooking the
Exposure: South-west
Soil:
Area:
Grape variety: Sauvignon
Average age of the vines: 24 years
Average yield: over 5 years 49 hl/ha
2007 yield: 52 hl/ha
Total production: 1,613 hl
Of which selected for the Chateau de Tracy 1,250 hl
Alcohol content: 12°9
Acidity: 4.9 g/l
THE HARVEST
The beginning of the season was marked by an exceptional month of April, which encouraged rapid growth of the vines (one month ahead of the previous year). The long process of disbudding was carried out throughout the entire vineyard to control the crop size and to spread the bunches evenly along the fruiting wood, as part of the domain’s high quality policy. Much of the summer was gloomy but the return of fine, warm weather in August enabled the grapes to reach optimum ripeness. The harvest, carried out totally manually, began on the 10th September in resplendent sunshine. The excellent maturity and healthy state of the grapes led us to hope for a high quality vintage.
TASTING NOTES
Nose: Aromas of blackcurrant buds, rhubarb and grapefruit zest, mixed with sweeter notes of peach and white flowers.
Palate: This Pouilly-Fumé has great complexity and superb balance. The initial attack is supple, while the middle palate is rich, but subtly underlined by freshness and a mineral saltiness. The finish, on notes of lemon zest, is long and full-bodied.
FOOD MATCHING
Superb with seafood: fresh langoustines or a salmon steak with crème fraîche and lemon.