Monbazillac Cuvée du Château 2018, Grande Maison

From the misty hills above the Dordogne River comes this golden gem of a wine, made by the fourth-generation Darnajou family at Grande Maison. Specializing in botrytized wines from hand-harvested sémillon, sauvignon blanc, and muscadelle, they produce a Monbazillac that’s both decadent and bright. Expect rich notes of dried apricot, orange marmalade, honeycomb, and candied citrus peel, with a whisper of baking spice and a zippy thread of acidity that keeps things lively—not syrupy.

The Cuvée Tradition is perfect for sipping on its own, but it also shines alongside savory bites like foie gras or blue cheese, or desserts like almond tart, peach cobbler, or crème brûlée. Want to impress at brunch? Try it with fried chicken and waffles, or a slice of salty aged cheddar.

A sweet wine with serious style, Grande Maison proves that Monbazillac deserves a spot on your table—and in your heart.

About the Winery

Tucked into the sun-warmed hills of the Dordogne, **Grande Maison** is a quietly legendary estate producing some of the most elegant Monbazillac wines in southwestern France. Centered around a stately 17th-century limestone manor, the winery has been in the hands of the Darnajou family since the early 20th century, with fourth-generation winemaker Philippe Darnajou and his daughter Camille now at the helm.

The terroir here is uniquely suited to *Botrytis cinerea*—noble rot—thanks to a dance of morning fog from the nearby Dordogne River and golden afternoon sun. These natural rhythms, combined with clay-limestone soils, help produce intensely aromatic and lusciously sweet grapes, harvested in multiple passes to capture the perfect degree of concentration.

Grande Maison’s wines are a balancing act of richness and freshness. Expect golden layers of apricot, quince, and orange blossom lifted by citrusy acidity. Their *Cuvée Tradition* is a crowd favorite, while the rare *Cuvée Monarque*, aged for a decade before release, is pure liquid gold. Camille and Philippe have even introduced a dry white Monbazillac—offering a crisp counterpoint to their sweet classics.

At Grande Maison, time is treated as a key ingredient. The estate’s quiet commitment to tradition, terroir, and thoughtful evolution continues to shape some of the most captivating wines in the region.