Château de Fargues 2002

Characteristics and tasting notes for Château de Fargues 2002

Tasting

Appearance
The color displays a medium-intense golden yellow hue, revealing the wine's natural evolution after more than two decades.

Nose
The bouquet stands out for its remarkable complexity and intensity. Characteristic botrytis aromas dominate with notes of crème brûlée, honey and toasted bread. The nose also reveals an elegant fruity register composed of candied citrus, pineapple and quince, accompanied by delicate floral touches. With aeration, nuances of dried apricots and exotic fruits gradually emerge.

Palate
The attack is precise and well-balanced, displaying a silky and feminine texture. The palate expresses beautiful richness without heaviness, carried by a lively acidity that elegantly cuts through the honeyed flavors. Aromas of candied fruits, orange and quince blend harmoniously with creamy notes. The finish extends at length with style and precision, leaving an impression of purity and elegance characteristic of this vintage.

Food and wine pairings

Château de Fargues 2002 pairs magnificently with foie gras, whether presented as terrine or pan-seared. It also enhances blue cheeses such as Roquefort or Stilton. For desserts, favor fruit tarts, particularly apricot or lemon. This wine also reveals all its complexity with sweet and savory dishes such as honey-glazed duck or certain lightly spiced Asian preparations.

Service and cellaring

Château de Fargues 2002 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. In 2025, this vintage reaches an optimal drinking window and can continue to evolve favorably until approximately 2035 under proper storage conditions.

The purity and elegance of a Sauternes wine

The estate

Château de Fargues, whose medieval fortress was built in 1306, has belonged to the Lur Saluces family since 1472, constituting a unique example of patrimonial continuity spanning more than five centuries. Philippe de Lur Saluces now manages this 170-hectare estate including 27 hectares of vines, located in the Sauternes appellation. The property distinguishes itself through its uncompromising philosophy, systematically refusing to market vintages deemed insufficient and favoring excellence over profitability.

The vineyard

The Château de Fargues vineyard extends over 27 hectares in the heart of the Sauternes appellation. The vines benefit from ideal conditions for the development of noble rot, that precious fungus which concentrates the sugars and aromas of the grapes. The terroir and particular microclimate of the property make it possible to obtain harvests of exceptional quality, picked exclusively by hand during successive tries to select only perfectly botrytized berries.

The vintage

The year 2002 was marked by drought and cool temperatures. After a mild and dry winter, bud break occurred at the end of March. April was cool, followed by a variable May. Flowering spread throughout June, resulting in heterogeneous maturity. Summer lacked sunshine and veraison only began at the beginning of August. Heat and storms in early September triggered the first appearances of noble rot. After the first trie in mid-September, the wind turned eastward, slowing the development of botrytis. Rains on October 9 for ten days affected the latest grapes. A final trie under radiant sunshine concluded on November 1. The September lots revealed striking freshness, very aromatic, pure and elegant, while those from late October brought complexity and richness.

Vinification and aging

The harvest at Château de Fargues 2002 was carried out manually in four successive tries between mid-September and early November. Fermentation took place in barrels for three to five weeks with indigenous yeasts. Vinification was conducted entirely in barrels aged one to two years. Aging continued for 30 months, allowing the wine to develop its complexity while preserving its freshness. The blend, crafted with patience, gave birth to a particularly flavorful wine.

Grape varieties

Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc.