2009 ALEXANDRE SIRECH "GRAND SOLEIL" WHITE WINE
GROS MANSENG
Review
Release Date
Region
NOT YET AVAILABLE
2010
SINGLE ESTATE, HILLSIDES OF GASCONY, FRANCE
Tasting Notes
Well here is a very unique and deliciously distinctive wine, made from 100% Gros Manseng from a vineyard on a hillside in Gascony facing towards the snow capped Pyrenees. What makes this wine so appealing is its freshness and brightness and notably spectacular aromatics. It has a sweetness, but delicate in profile. Citrus, peach and quince notes are in abundance. A big, bright, magnificent and generous sun......”Grand Soleil”, a name inspired by Alexandre’s first taste of the finished wine.
Technical Notes
- Technical Data:
- Alcohol: 12% by vol
- Acidity: 4.9 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 60.0 g/l
Estate Profile
The “S” on the Sirech label is the initial of the wonderfully engaging winemaker Alexandre. Pronounced as “See-raish”, the name means cherry tree in Occitan, a language that was until the World War II the predominant language of Southern France. Indeed Alexandre’s grandparents continued to speak it in their home during their whole life. The language has virtually disappeared.
Alexandre is Bordelais and lives with his English wife and their children in the countryside. His Cellars are located in Libourne overlooking the Dordogne River. Having spent many years working overseas (including managing a rum distillery in Havana Cuba!!) he returned to Bordeaux with broader ideas, still with a love of the classic terroir of his Bordeaux homeland.
Indeed if anything he has revived traditions of the 18th century, but with impeccable style, the most up to date winemaking practices, and a contemporary twist. Back then it was quite common for Right Bank producers to blend Merlot with Syrah from the hill of Hermitage in the Rhone. Such blends were known as “cuvees hermitagees”.
Alexandre now produces two of these stunning blends: “Les Deux Terroirs” (“The Two Soils”), and in much more limited quantities, “Les Grand Terroirs”. Perhaps “Super Bordeaux” is the more appropriate contemporary term, in keeping with the very familiar terminology of “Super Tuscan”.
“Les Grand Terroirs” is in fact a collaboration between Alexandre and the renowned St Emilion and Pomerol winemaker/grower, Jean-Philippe Janoueix. The pedigree of the fruit sources is naturally formidable.
There are two very special and distinctive white wines in the Sirech stable. “Les Deux Terroir” White is a blend of Sauvignon, Gros Manseng and Colombard. “Grand Soleil” (the big and beautiful sun!!) is a medium sweet white wine made entirely from Gros Manseng from a hillside vineyard in Gascony.
Perhaps the greatest “breakthrough” is the inaugural release of “Le Bordeaux”. It is what it says it is, but arguably the most accessible, most delicious tasting, most beautifully presented and great value Bordeaux. Lush on the palate with wonderful texture, a wine that requires no knowledge of Bordeaux, just a love of beautiful wine at a great price.
The fruit for “Le Bordeaux” comes from a beautiful 100 hectare Estate on the Right Bank located between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. Classic Bordelais Terroir, but with both plateau and south-facing slopes.
Welcome to the “new world“ of Bordeaux.
Download a high quality information sheet here.




