HISTORY OF DOMAINE: Situated 40 kilometers southeast of the city of Bordeaux, Chateau La Rame is among the oldest and most renowned properties in the Sainte Croix du Mont appellation. The estate was purchased by Claude Armand, the father of the current owner, Yves Armand. The Armand family has undertaken to re-establish Sainte Croix du Mont as an appellation of merit set to rival the great estates of Sauternes and Barsac.

COMPOSITION OF DOMAINE: The 20 hectares of Chateau La Rame are set on a clay-limestone soil blessed with an exceptional substratum marked by a bed of fossilized oysters dating from the Tertiary era. The hillside vineyards overlook the Garonne River and face full south as they slope down towards the river. The vineyards are planted 75% to Semillon and 25% to Sauvignon Blanc with an average age of 45 years.

METHOD OF VINIFICATION: Seeking extreme ripeness, the harvest is done entirely by hand and proceeds in successive passes over a series of weeks. The fermentation occurs over a three to six week period at controlled temperatures [between 18 and 22 degrees centigrade]. The traditional cuvee is then aged for two years in "cuve" before bottling. Since 1983, Chateau La Rame has produced in superior vintages a second cuvee, "Reserve du Chateau", which is aged exclusively in oak barrels, one-third of which are new. Bottling of both cuvees is accomplished with no fining and very light filtration. Approximately 6,500 cases are produced annually. In addition, a dry, crisp, enchantingly aromatic Bordeaux Blanc Sec, the Chateau La Caussade, is produced from Sauvignon Blanc grapes.