Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey Sauternes 2009 - 1er Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Intense, elegant, and very pure bouquet. Full-bodied wine supported by good freshness. Very good length, warm finish, with hints of menthol. Still developing.

About the estate:

Silvio Denz has enabled the estate to further refine the quality of its wine and to fulfill its role as an ambassador for the great Sauternes wines with distinction, in a style that—thanks to its terroir—is quite similar to Yquem’s, combining a sumptuous texture with aromatic refinement in its fruitiness. But he has also extended his efforts to benefit the entire appellation by opening a luxury hotel and a top-tier gourmet restaurant dedicated to celebrating Sauternes, generously including all the neighboring estates in his promotional efforts.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2009 Lafaurie-Peyraguey, with a pale to medium gold color, offers candied citrus and dried tropical fruits, along with notes of crème brûlée and chamomile and a hint of honey. On the palate, it is fresh, youthful, and lively, finishing with numerous layers of tropical flavors. 2019–2035

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

This wine offers a well-balanced, easy-to-drink profile with 138 g of residual sugar. Éric Larramona, the winemaker, blended in Sauvignon grapes harvested early in the harvest to bring freshness to his blend without sacrificing the intensity of the vintage. A winning choice!

About the estate:

Swiss businessman Silvio Denz (Château Faugères in Saint-Émilion) acquired this venerable estate, which was made famous over many years by its former owner, the Cordier family. This splendid estate produces great, classic Sauternes wines from exceptionally rich harvests, and now selects its premier wine with even greater rigor. It is at this cost that the estate achieves consistent quality, which upholds its reputation. The grapes are, of course, harvested in successive passes; pressing is carried out using old vertical presses, and the wine is aged for thirty months in barrels (grouped by vintage), one-third of which are new oak. Lafaurie-Peyraguey is distinguished by its great richness, a result of its terroir, which contrasts with the finesse of its closest neighbor, Sigalas-Rabaud.

James Suckling

About the wine:

A wine with distinct notes of pear, spices, and lavender honey. Full-bodied, with moderate sweetness and a savory finish. Distinct botrytis character.

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

An elegant attack, plenty of freshness, superb body, and a powerful finish—all very well-balanced. Best enjoyed between 2015 and 2035.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Intense golden yellow. An intense bouquet, marked by freshness but also by ripe notes. Exotic fruits, saffron, currants, and quince. On the palate, the wine is creamy, delicate, and fruity, yet also refined. Beautiful aromatic expression with notes of crème brûlée, caramel, and nougat. Lingering finish. A superb wine that is surprisingly fresh. 2020–2050

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is aromatic and spicy, offering power and richness while remaining refined. It reveals notes of candied Williams pear, candied lemon, and, more subtly, kumquat, combined with hints of spices, Timut pepper, white tea, and lychee, as well as very subtle hints of candied ginger and nutmeg. On the palate, it is fruity, balanced, and precise, offering a juicy, tangy structure, freshness, a refined minerality, elegance, sweetness, and depth. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of candied apple, candied Williams pear, and, more subtly, kumquat, combined with delicate hints of candied lemon, candied green apple, lychee, and candied ginger, as well as hints of spices, nutmeg, and a subtle hint of fresh hazelnut. Good length and good persistence. A barely perceptible hint of chocolate on the finish.