Myrat, Chateau de
Summary
Château de Myrat is a historic Second Growth estate in Barsac operated by the Pontac-Dessalle family, producing sweet wines from Sémillon-dominant vineyards planted on distinctive limestone-clay soils that contribute freshness and minerality. Their traditional approach includes multiple selective harvests of botrytized grapes and careful barrel aging, yielding wines that exemplify the classic balance between honeyed richness and mineral precision that distinguishes Barsac from neighboring Sauternes.
Heritage & Leadership
Château de Myrat stands as a Second Growth (Deuxième Cru) estate according to the historic 1855 classification of Sauternes and Barsac. Located in the commune of Barsac within Bordeaux's sweet wine region, the property has deep historical roots in the area. The Pontac-Dessalle family has maintained ownership of this classified growth, continuing a tradition of sweet wine production that has earned the estate its place among Barsac's notable producers.
The château itself reflects the architectural heritage of the region, serving as both the family residence and a symbol of the estate's enduring presence in Barsac. Throughout its history, Château de Myrat has maintained its classification status while focusing on the production of the sweet wines for which the region is known.
Vineyards & Wines
The vineyards of Château de Myrat benefit from Barsac's distinctive terroir, characterized by limestone subsoil overlaid with clay. This geological formation differs slightly from neighboring Sauternes proper, often resulting in wines with particular freshness and mineral qualities. The estate's plantings follow the traditional varietal composition for the appellation, with Sémillon dominating the vineyard area, complemented by smaller proportions of Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle.
These vineyards are subject to the specific microclimate of the region, where autumn morning mists from the Ciron River create ideal conditions for the development of Botrytis cinerea (noble rot) – the essential fungus that concentrates the grapes' sugars and contributes to the complex flavor profile of these sweet wines. The estate produces its wines under the Barsac appellation, which can also be labeled as Sauternes.
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking at Château de Myrat adheres to the traditional methods established for quality Sauternes and Barsac production. Harvesting occurs through successive passes through the vineyard (tries), with pickers selectively gathering only those grapes affected by noble rot at the optimal stage. This labor-intensive process ensures that only perfectly botrytized berries are used in production.
Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled environments, allowing for the slow transformation of the concentrated must into wine while preserving the delicate aromatic compounds. The wines undergo aging in oak barrels, developing additional complexity while maintaining the characteristic balance between sweetness, acidity, and the distinctive botrytis character that defines quality Barsac. The final wines express the limestone-influenced terroir of Barsac through their typical profile of honeyed richness balanced by mineral freshness.