No.8684   2004. 2. 24

Suntory is to release French Bordeaux Wine “ Baron De Lestac ”

Suntory Ltd. (Head Office: Osaka, President: Nobutada Saji) is to release French Bordeaux wine collection with No.1 sales figures*1, Baron De Lestac ”, of ,which are “ Castel Baron De Lestac Bordeaux (Red / White) ”,and “ Castel Baron De Lestac Medoc Reserve (Red) ” from 16th March, 2004, across Japan nationwide.

“ Baron De Lestac ” is the AOC graded (Bordeaux) *2French wine made by Groupe Castel. It holds top sales figures on Bordeaux wine market in France (Survey targeted to approximately 7000 supermarkets and hypermarkets, by “ IRISECODIP ”) .With its rich taste of barrique, Baron De Lestac is Bordeaux wine daily enjoyed by authentic French people.

Feature of Content

Groupe Castel owns the largest cave in France (capacity of 50,000 barrels / 225 L). Red wine is matured for over 6 months in oak barrels, while white wine is fermented in100 % oak barrels.

“ Barons De Lestac Bordeaux (Red) ”, Medium Body

(Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot)

Finely balanced red wine with cassis-like red fruits taste and rich barrel aroma. Well blended tannin and complements dishes with its elegant and delicate taste.

“ Barons De Lestac Bordeaux (White) ”, Dry

(Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon)

White wine with mild acidity and richness of Semillon, balanced with vanilla aromas achieved through fermentation by oak barrels.

“ Barons De Lestac Bordeaux Medoc Reserve (Red) ”, Medium Body

Red wine with strong tannin sourced from Cabernet, and finely balanced with cedar-like aroma. Abound in richness and complexity, able to undergo barrel fermentation of several years.

About Naming / Label

“ LESTAC ” was named after CASTEL by placing company’s name in reversed order, which also shows the ardor of the winery. Also, product management numbers are printed on each of “ Barons De Lestac Bordeaux ” labels that affirms company’s attitude towards product quality.

About Groupe Castel

Established in 1949, Groupe Castel first started its business by selling wines. In 1960s, it owns 13 Chateaus in Bordeaux and 3 out of them were graded as the Crus Bourgeois Class. Groupe Castel became No.1 winery for sales figures in France*3 and also created flagship wines , “ Vieux Papes ” and “ Cambras ”, as well as affiliating with “ Nichola ”, to hold the largest wine boutique in France (around 470 shops). In addition, Groupe Castle will start making “ Reserve Bordeaux “ and “ Delica ” as Suntory’s brands from, starting from 2002 onwards.

Established: 1949

President: Mr. Pierre Castel

Address: Bordeaux, France (Headquarter office)

*1 “ IRI SECODIP ”, 2002

*2 “ French Wine Grade, AOC ”

AOC(Appellationd’Origine ContrOlee = Regulated Wine of Origin) graded French wines are wines graded strictly based on the French wine law, by regulating each land’s characteristics, such as through sites, grape varieties, yields, vinification, and alcohol percentages.

*3 Impact data, 2003

Product Specification

• Name of product, Type/ Taste, Volume/ Packaging, Suggested retail price

*Vintage sequentially switches from one into another.

• Release date and sales region
16th of March, 2004 Japan Nationwide

Enquiry of the information, please contact to:
Suntory Customer Center Toll free number: 0120-0139-310
(Osaka) Dojimahama 2-1-40, Kita-ku, Osaka, 530-8203, Japan
(Tokyo) Moto-Akasaka 1-2-3, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8430, and Japan
Wine website: http://www.suntory.co.jp/wine/