Château de Fargues 2008

Tasted single blind against its peers. Whereas last year the de Fargues 2008 was immediately forthcoming, a few months later this example demands much more coaxing from the glass. Eventually, it reveals scents of dried pineapple, limestone and a touch of cooking apple, with some VA notes lending it a bit of a “kick.” The palate is medium-bodied with a mellifluous texture. It is very well balanced, with a tangible sense of tension from start to finish, attractive notes of dried honey and quince interlacing the long, structured finish. This constitutes a serious Sauternes for the serious Sauternes-lover. Tasted January 2012.

This harnesses the steely, nervy quinine edge of the vintage and buries it nicely in a core of lemon chiffon, shortbread and honeysuckle notes. The pure finish shows a nice sweet-sour interplay and fine length. This could age on a fairly slow track. Best from 2014 through 2024. 830 cases made.

Bright, fairly pale yellow with a fine green hue. Peppery botrytis with plenty of freshness and citrus notes on the first nose, joined by netted melon, green mango and cooked peach. On the palate, voluminous, with a lovely fat that coats the dancing frame, remaining peppery and racy all the way to the monumental finish. An unusual wine: rich yet elegant.

Bright, fairly pale yellow with a delicate green shimmer. Peppery botrytis with plenty of freshness, even showing some citrus notes right on the nose, netted melon, green mango and cooked peach. On the palate, it is voluminous, with a lovely oily sheen over a dancing body; it stays peppery and racy, which gives it tremendous length. Somehow unusual, as the wine is both rich and elegant at the same time.

Mineral, powerful, full bouquet with cooked pears, dried apricots, honey. Velvety, opulent, creamy palate with pronounced sweetness, fine acidity, complex aromatics, very long, lavish finish. 19/20 drink - 2040

Candied ginger, cloves, truffles, rich, concentrated exotic fruits, pineapple and passion fruit. Great quality, this is a wine that levitates over the palate while pulling you down to be seduced. It remains extremely young, elegant yet indulgent. A vintage sometimes forgotten among the successes (for Sauternes) on either side, but it is worth seeking out and is extremely enjoyable. 20% new oak, and a vintage where frost reduced the crop by 20%, down to around 8 hl/ha. François Amirault, winemaker.

Supple, very cut hay, good liqueur, plenty of volume.

Green-yellow color. Botrytized nose, fine, pure, fresh, noble, and complex. Lovely entry on the palate, silky and ample, where the wine unfolds on a melting core with flavor, plenty of fruit, and a noble mouthfeel. This vintage is more expressive than usual for the cru. That often happens when July is very fine. It finishes long, spicy, and flavorful. A great success that combines the sweetness of Sauternes with the liveliness and freshness of Barsac in its build. Highly recommended.

With an extravagant roasted expression, this “virile” vintage evolves with grace and outshines the much more subtle and refined 2007.

90-92 Barrel sample. Big, rich botrytis character from the first aromas right through the palate. The wine is rich in orange marmalade, intense and concentrated.