Chateau Sigalas Rabaud Sauternes Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Sigalas Rabaud Sauternes, Premiers Crus with wine tasting notes, wine and food pairings, the best vintages, a history of the property, information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Sigalas Rabaud History, Overview

Chateau Sigalas Rabaud takes its name from the two original owners of the estate, the Rabaud family, who owned the property prior to 1660, and the Sigalas family, who purchased the property in 1864. What we know as Chateau Sigalas Rabaud passed to the de Cazeau family as the dowry of Madame Peyronne de Rabaud.

During the mid to late 1800s, the owner, Henri Drouilhet de Sigalas purchased Chateau Pexoto, a 10-hectare vineyard that was part of the 1855 Classification, and added those vines to Sigalas Rabaud. In 1903, the Sigalas family renamed the estate, Chateau Rabaudet, which then became, Chateau Sigalas Rabaud.

That same year, the son of Henri Sigalas sold part of their vineyards to Adrien Promis, who created Chateau Rabaud Promis.

Starting in 1913, Sigalas Rabaud began entering into various rental agreements with their vineyards. In 1929 the same properties once again became part of the original estate.

Beginning in 1930, they leased their vineyards to the powerful, Ginestet family. That arrangement lasted until 1949 when the portion that was previously known as Chateau Promis was sold to Raymond Louis Lanneluc. The established company, Domaine Cordier, first took an interest in Sigalas Rabaud in 1972, before buying a stake in the vineyards in 1994.

Chateau Sigalas Rabaud Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 14-hectare vineyard of Sigalas Rabaud, located in the commune of Bomme is planted to 85% Semillon and 15% Sauvignon Blanc. This represents a large reduction in the amount of Semillon previously planted in their vineyards. On average, the vines are 45 years of age. The terroir of Sigalas Rabaud consists of sand, gravel and clay soils on a sloping hillside.

To produce the wine of Chateau Sigalas Rabaud, the estate uses both a vertical press and a pneumatic press. Vinification takes place in French oak barrels. The wine is aged in an average of 33% new, French oak barrels for a minimum of 18 months before bottling.

On average, the estate produces close to 2,500 cases of Chateau Sigalas Rabaud per year. There is a second wine that changed names from Le Cadet Sigalas to Le Lieutenant de Sigalas with the 2004 vintage. Under the direction of Laure de Campeyrot, Sigalas Rabaud has continued adding more wines to their portfolio, in the hopes of increasing their sales.

The best vintages of Chateau Sigalas Rabaud are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007 and 2005.

Starting with the 2009 vintage, the property began producing a dry, white Bordeaux wine, Demoiselle de Sigalas. Only 250 cases are produced from this blend of 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc in an average vintage.

In 2013, La Semillante de Sigalas made its debut. This dry white Bordeaux wine is produced made from a blend of 97% Semillon and 3% Sauvignon Blanc.

Le N5 Sans Soufre Ajoute Sigalas Rabaud is the properties first natural wine, produced without the use of sulfur, the wine is made from 100% Semillon. The wine was first sold under the name of N°5 de Sigalas, but they were sued by Chanel, for the trademark of N°5, so they changed the name of the wine to Le N5 Sans Soufre Ajoute Sigalas Rabaud. 2015 was the first vintage.

When to Drink Chateau Sigalas Rabaud, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Sigalas Rabaud can be enjoyed on the young side with no decanting. In fact, it is delicious and quite a treat young, even on release! However, Chateau Sigalas Rabaud is a better wine with age and does not reach full maturity until it’s between 10-30 years of age, or in some years, perhaps even longer in the best vintages!

With Chateau Sigalas Rabaud, and frankly, all Sauternes, the temperature is more important than decanting.

Serving Chateau Sigalas Rabaud with Wine and Food Pairings

Chateau Sigalas Rabaud is best served at 14 degrees Celsius, 57 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The wine will naturally warm in the glass, while it develops more aromatic complexities and fleshes out.

Chateau Sigalas Rabaud can be served with seafood dishes, especially shellfish, lobster, crab, and oysters on the half shell. Foie gras is a perfect pairing with its natural sweet, salty and savory characteristics.

Chateau Sigalas Rabaud can also be paired with roasted chicken, veal, and pork dishes that are either spicy or prepared with a touch of sweetness. Spicy Asian cuisine, raw fish, like sushi or sashimi, and cheese, both hard and soft also make great pairings with Chateau Sigalas Rabaud.

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