Château Lamothe-Guignard

The property's roots stretch back to the 16th century, when the site was known as Château Lamothe d'Assault, named for a fortress that once occupied the high ground. By the time of the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, the estate earned Second Cru Classé status, a recognition that carried the Lamothe name forward even as the property's ownership grew complicated. After the classification, the estate was divided among multiple owners. The most significant split came in 1961, when Château Lamothe Despujols separated as a distinct property. The remaining portion passed through several hands under the name Château Lamothe-Bergey before Philippe and Jacques Guignard acquired it in 1981. The brothers renamed the estate Château Lamothe-Guignard and set about restoring its reputation as one of Sauternes' serious Second Growths.

• Original name Château Lamothe d'Assault references a 16th-century fortress on the site
• Received Second Cru Classé status in the landmark 1855 Bordeaux Classification
• Château Lamothe Despujols split from the property in 1961, creating two separate estates
• Guignard family acquisition in 1981 brought the current name and a focused winemaking direction

Château Lamothe-Guignard sits at one of the highest elevations in the Sauternes commune, with north and northwest facing slopes that distinguish its terroir from many neighbors. The soils shift across the estate: a gravel plateau forms the core, while clay and limestone surround the château itself, and argilo-gravelly soils characterize the slopes. This varied geology, combined with altitude, gives the vines good drainage and thermal variation. The Sauternes climate, with its characteristic alternation of morning fog rolling in from the Ciron River and warm afternoon sunshine, creates ideal conditions for Botrytis cinerea to develop across the vineyard in successive tries.

• One of the highest points in the Sauternes commune, with north and northwest exposures
• Three distinct soil types: gravel plateau, clay and limestone near the château, argilo-gravelly slopes
• Fog and sunshine alternation drives the development of noble rot across harvest passes
• Vineyard size ranges from 18 to 32 hectares

The estate's blend is firmly Sémillon-driven, with that variety accounting for 90% of plantings. Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle each contribute 5%, providing aromatic lift and complexity without undermining Sémillon's natural affinity for botrytization. Sémillon's thin skin makes it particularly susceptible to noble rot, and at these elevations and aspects the conditions for controlled Botrytis development are reliable across most vintages. Harvest is conducted in successive tries, hand-picking only grapes at the correct stage of botrytization, a labor-intensive process fundamental to producing genuine Sauternes of quality.

• 90% Sémillon gives the wine its body, texture, and susceptibility to noble rot
• Sauvignon Blanc (5%) and Muscadelle (5%) add aromatic complexity
• Botrytis cinerea concentration drives the wine's sweetness and flavor complexity
• Multiple harvest passes (tries) are essential to selecting grapes at optimal botrytization

Château Lamothe-Guignard holds the rank of Deuxième Cru Classé within the 1855 Classification of Sauternes and Barsac, the same classification system that placed Château d'Yquem as the sole Premier Cru Supérieur. The Second Growth designation covers a strong cohort of Sauternes producers, and Lamothe-Guignard has worked steadily since the Guignard acquisition to produce wines that justify the classification. The estate's revival under the Guignard family represents one of the more compelling rehabilitation stories in the appellation, transforming a property that had passed through multiple owners into a focused and consistent Second Cru.

• Deuxième Cru Classé in the 1855 Sauternes and Barsac Classification
• The 1855 classification remains unchanged, with Yquem as the sole Premier Cru Supérieur above it
• Guignard family stewardship since 1981 marks the estate's modern identity
• Shares Second Growth status with other notable Sauternes estates including Château Rieussec and Château Suduiraut