Domaine de la Rameille Premiere Cuvee Bordeaux Blanc, Cotes de Bordeaux, France

The 2003 vintage in Bordeaux was one of extremes, with an unprecedented summer heatwave that resulted in record-breaking ripeness and concentration—particularly rare in white wines. At Domaine de la Rameille, located in the medieval commune of Rions along the right bank of the Garonne, father-and-son team Jean-Marie and Jean-Damien Gonzalez harnessed the vintage’s intensity to craft a singular Bordeaux Blanc of exceptional power and grace. Their Première Cuvée from this year is a vivid reflection of both terroir and time, shaped by generational expertise and a commitment to thoughtful, organic-minded farming.

Product Details

• Vintage: 2003

• Appellation: Côtes de Bordeaux / Bordeaux Blanc

• Grape Composition: Predominantly Sémillon with Sauvignon Blanc (proportions undisclosed)

• Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 14.5% (notably elevated due to vintage conditions)

• Farming & Vineyard Practices: Practicing organic; full conversion began in 2019

• Fermentation & Aging: Likely cool-temperature fermentation; aging details not disclosed, but style suggests time on lees

• Production Volume: Limited artisanal release from a 12-hectare estate; estimated under 15,000 bottles for this cuvée

Sensory Description
This 2003 Première Cuvée delivers a captivating sensory experience shaped by both maturity and the exceptional heat of the vintage. Aromas of preserved lemon, orange marmalade, and honeysuckle unfold into secondary notes of beeswax, almond cream, and toasted brioche. On the palate, the wine is broad and deeply textured, carrying its 14.5% ABV with remarkable balance. Rich layers of golden apple, saffron, and acacia honey are lifted by a lingering minerality and gentle acidity, hallmarks of the Garonne’s hillside terroir. Now fully evolved, the wine shows the depth and vitality that only skilled hands and unusual conditions can produce.

Producer's Background
Jean-Marie Gonzalez, whose deep-rooted knowledge of the estate’s soils and microclimate was instrumental in navigating the challenges of 2003, remains the quiet force behind Domaine de la Rameille. Now working alongside his son Jean-Damien, who trained in the cellars of Saint-Émilion and Pessac-Léognan before returning to the family estate, the Gonzalezes produce wines that blend old-world character with modern precision. Together, they uphold the estate’s legacy of “peasant agriculture,” practicing low-intervention farming long before formal organic certification began. The Domaine has specialized in white wine production since the early 20th century, with its sweet and dry cuvées consistently reflecting the artisanal ethos of this tightly held, family-run estate.

Serving Suggestions
Serve chilled at 50–55°F to highlight the wine’s complex aromatics and mature texture. Pair with foie gras, duck à l’orange, or aged cheeses like Comté or aged goat’s milk tomme. A rare and rewarding find for fans of aged white Bordeaux, and an essential bottle for collectors who value power and elegance forged under exceptional vintage conditions.