A cuvée born from a pursuit of precision
Château des Eyssards, a 60-hectare family estate located in the Bergerac wine region, is managed by Pascal Cuisset alongside his daughter Flavie and her partner Benoît. The estate cultivates ten grape varieties and produces sixteen wines, nearly 85% of which are exported.
Among them, Blanc Prestige embodies a demanding vision of barrel aging: using oak as a true winemaking tool that supports the wine while preserving its identity. The 2024 vintage is a perfect illustration of this philosophy.
Winemaking designed to preserve fruit purity
The grapes are mechanically harvested at night to preserve their aromatic potential. Following direct pressing and careful juice clarification, alcoholic fermentation begins in stainless steel tanks before the wine is transferred to barrels. The blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris completes its fermentation directly in oak barrels.
During this stage, daily bâtonnage encourages interaction between the fine lees and the wine, enhancing both structure and texture. The wine is then aged in oak barrels for nine to ten months without bâtonnage, allowing the natural balance of the cuvée to develop while maintaining a harmonious dialogue between fruit and oak.
Barrels carefully selected to accompany the wine
For this cuvée, Château des Eyssards selected 225-litre Bordeaux Transport barrels from Berthomieu Cooperage, crafted from French oak sourced from the Nevers and Vosges forests and featuring a Light Toast.
The barrel program is carefully balanced:
- One-third new barrels
- One-third one-wine barrels
- One-third two-wine barrels
This combination gradually builds complexity, structure and harmony without overshadowing the varietal expression of the Sauvignon grapes. The Light Toast ensures a gentle extraction of oak compounds, enhancing aromatic complexity while preserving the wine’s freshness and precision.
Barrel aging that reveals the character of the vintage
On tasting, Blanc Prestige 2024 displays a precise and expressive aromatic profile. Bright citrus zest notes, characteristic of Sauvignon, bring tension, freshness and remarkable length on the palate. Subtle hints of exotic fruit add further elegance and complexity.
Barrel aging gives the wine additional depth. The mid-palate becomes fuller, rounder and naturally richer while maintaining exceptional freshness. A long, saline finish confirms the perfect balance between structure, texture and aromatic expression.
Oak in the service of the wine
At Berthomieu Cooperage, we believe every barrel is designed with a specific winemaking purpose in mind. Oak selection, forest origin, grain, natural seasoning, barrel dimensions and toast profile are all carefully considered to support the winemaker’s vision with precision.
Château des Eyssards Blanc Prestige 2024 perfectly reflects this philosophy. Rather than leaving a dominant oak signature, barrel aging reveals the wine’s natural balance, enhances its texture and extends its aromatic expression. The barrel becomes a natural tool that fosters a harmonious dialogue between fruit and oak.
