Chateau Gilette'Creme de Tete' Sauternes 1999

Château Gilette has earned its status as a “unicorn wine” not just for its rarity, but for its entirely unconventional approach to aging Sauternes. Located in the village of Preignac, Gilette stands apart by forgoing traditional barrel aging in favor of 20+ years in concrete tanks—a method almost unheard of in the wine world. While most Sauternes are bottled within a few years of harvest, Gilette’s wines remain in neutral vats for decades to preserve purity, freshness, and structure. The 1999 vintage, for example, wasn’t released until around 2021. The result is extraordinary: wines with layered flavors of candied citrus, saffron, and honeyed apricot, yet with striking lift and vibrancy. Far from typical, Gilette’s style is elegant, precise, and unforgettable.