Cru d’Arche-Pugneau
Wines
Preignac, Sauternes
Cru d’Arche-Pugneau
Preignac, Sauternes
Sauternes
The grapes are harvested and vinified parcel by parcel as Daney makes numerous passes through the vineyards to select grapes depending on ripeness and the development of botrytis. It is important to note that Daney sells a significant portion of his production in bulk to négociants, so that all of the wine he bottles at the domaine truly represents the best of the domaine’s production. After fermentation is complete, the wines spend a minimum of two years aging in barrel, a very small percentage of which are new. Our long history with the Daney family (we have been purchasing these wines since 1983) lends credence to our claim that these wines age in formidable fashion.
Sauternes, “Trie Exceptionnelle”
Daney selects the finest grapes for his “Trie Exceptionelle” cuvée, which is vinified only in special vintages. The “Trie Exceptionelle” is composed of those grapes which carry the almost perfect balance among the elements of sugar, acid and botrytis. The selection is done bunch by bunch through a multitude of passes through the vineyards that can extend for several weeks and, sometimes over more than a month. Of course, the Sémillon is the overwhelmingly dominant grape supplemented by a small percentage of Sauvignon and Muscadelle which lend additional complexity and verve to the “assemblage”.
Sauternes, “L’Intemporel”
In 2007, Daney introduced “L’Intemporel”, a solera system Sauternes blending the 1997-2003 vintages. This special cuvée is a unique wine that emphasizes the special “terroir” of the estate rather than the nuances of each vintage. An interesting experiment that will require some time to arrive at its ultimate destination and for us to assess its character.