Philippe Rochet is a wine grower since 1983. While he participated in the development of the domain beside previous owner Rolland Belloc during twenty years, he took over La Rose Sarron (AOC Graves) in 2008. Today, Philippe gets quietly ready to pass on the torch, in particular to his son Damien, trained engineer.
Château La Rose Sarron totals 35 hectares for the red wine, among which 5 for the cuvée Damien; and 10 hectares for the dry white wine, out of which 2 for the cuvée Anaïs. The vineyard is settled on one side on gravels with big pebbles and clayey or silty soils for the red wine; on the other hand, on siliceous gravels which offer a white wine of great elegance. Historically, this sector was included in the Sauternes appellation until 1939. Which explains that the terroir of La Rose perfectly suits the white wines. “But the red varieties like it a lot”, Philippe Rochet notices.
On the vinification side, Philippe Rochet has a modern equipment. Red wines spend 12 months by 50% in barrel and 50% in tank. The cuvée Damien, a special cuvée named after his son, stays 12 months in barrels. The dry white wine is vinified in tank and matured on fine lees during 4 months, while the cuvée Anaïs, after his daughter's name, is vinified and matured 9 months in oak barrels. Château La Rose Sarron also produces a Graves Supérieures sweet white wine in and a Bordeaux Supérieur rosé.
Philippe Rochet sells 30% of his production to the private customers. The rest is delivered to wine traders. Little export, because “I do not speak English, it is my son who will deal with it”, he confides with a smile. What did not prevent him from inviting international Paolo Basso, Best Sommelier of the World, to come to discover the estate and the wines. An lovely tasting had been planned with the 2013 white and the cuvée Anaïs 2012 and 2013; and the red 2011 and 2012, and the cuvée Damien 2008 and 2009.
Thanks to the attentive follow-up of the vines and careful work in the cellar La Rose Sarron crafts beautiful wines which are granted excellent results in the competitions and in the guides. Recently, the red 2011 distinguished itself in the Trophée des Grands Crus de Graves and La Rose Sarron is classified among the Premiers Grands Vins of the Guide du Vin 2015.
The Château regularly opens doors to the visitors. Take advantage of it to come and discover their quality wines with a good value for money!
Sylvia van der Velden
Cuvée Anaïs 2013
Plaisant sur des notes finement boisées, vanille, beurre, note d’agrumes.
Belle riches à l’attaque, caractérisé par une belle note savoureuse et de belle fraicheur, finale assez persistante soutenue par le caractère boisé. Délicat et tendre avec souplesse.
Cuvée Damien 2009
Encre et graphite, concentrée, poivre et belle note toastée, boisé vanillé fin. Riche et volumineux, sucreux, du corps, extrait avec élégance, tanins ronds et enrobés, finale très intense et persistante. Très grand vin.
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