Why it matters
The producer
The Lur Saluces family has owned Château de Fargues since 1472. The first estate vintage arrived in 1943, explaining its absence from the official 1855 Bordeaux classification.
Alexandre de Lur Saluces undertook consolidation of the château in 1968, followed by major restoration work in 2008. In the vineyard, Botrytis cinerea, or noble rot, multiplies the aromas of the two varieties.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
The vineyard occupies hillsides of sand, clay and gravel that reach 74 metres. Château de Fargues has a cooler microclimate than much of Sauternes and is often among the last estates in the appellation to finish harvesting.
Wines to know
The range in view
Château de Fargues has complexity and long ageing potential. It can be enjoyed young, though one estimate places full maturity between roughly 12 and 35 years, with some vintages taking longer.
Château de Fargues 2020 is concentrated, lush and intense, with pineapple, white peach, mango, tangerine, vanilla and honey-covered nuts. Racy acidity cuts through the sweetness. These descriptors belong specifically to the 2020 vintage.