Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey 2016 375ml

Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey 2016 375ml

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( regular price: $29.99 )

In 1618, Sieur Raymond Peyraguey was the first owner of the estate. Prior to that time, a Roman fortress stood on the land, Parts of the which were incorporated into the "new" estate. In 1742, Pierre de Pichard consolidated the property and then passed it to his grandson in the second part of the 18th century. As a politician during the French Revolution, he was guillotined in 1794. Shortly after in 1796, Pierre Lafaurie purchased the property and promptly added his name to the estate. After much investment into the estate, it was included in the 1855 Classification. In 1865, Count Duchatel purchased the estate and began to modernize it. For the next 80 years, the Chateau was owned by Wine Merchants; first Farinel & Gredy and then since 1917, The Cordier Group. In 1984, the Suez Group purchased all the assets of the Cordier Group so the Chateau changed hands. The Suez Group sold the Chateau in 2014 to Silvo Denz who is the present owner. Silvio Denz has renovated the property and also transformed part of the buildings into a Hotel and Resturant for Ecotourism.

Chateau Lafaurie Peyraguey has 41 hectares of vineyards planted 93% Semillon, 6% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Muscadelle. With future vintages, only the best 17 hectares of vineyards will be used for the Grand Vin, all the rest will be used to produce the second wine or 2 dry white wines.

Silvio Denz also owns Chateau Faugeres and Peby Faugeres in Saint Emilion as well as Chateau Cao du Faugeres in Castillon.

Wine Spectator: 94
This has a good, direct core of apricot, peach and mango notes, with a warm piecrust backdrop through the rounded finish. Still showing a bit of turbidity, so could move up as it continues to settle in.
Wine Advocate: 94
Pale lemon colored, the 2016 Lafaurie-Peyraguey gives up bold notions of fresh pineapple, green mango, lemon meringue pie and yuzu zest with touches of beeswax, lime blossoms, toasted almonds and cedar chest. The palate is all class with fantastic poise, purity and precision giving the tropical and citrus layers loads of sparkle through the long finish.
Decanter: 92
This has a lovely texture and shows a clear botrytis character, with a lift of menthol freshness and twist of lime on the finish. Pinpricks of enjoyable bitterness on the final push give contrast to the rich body.
Wine Enthusiast: 95
Barrel Sample. A perfectly balanced wine, this boasts a beautiful harmony between bright acidity and ripe, sweet fruit. It is rich, but balanced by great acidity as well as lingering spicy notes. It is suited for long-term aging.
Vinous: 96
The 2016 Lafaurie-Peyraguey is stunning. Unctuous, layered and supremely beautiful, the 2016 has so much to offer. Baked apple, dried lemon peel, and a host of exotic floral notes all grace this exquisite Sauternes from Silvio Denz. The 2016 is rich and quite deep, and yet retains a striking sense of grace. In a word: gorgeous.
James Suckling: 98
The breathtaking nose of this Sauternes is like an essence of fresh pineapples with hints of lemon balm and floral honey. Then comes the most extraordinary marriage of creaminess and freshness that gives the palate a fluffy texture. Vibrant acidity makes this taste almost weightless at the very long, brilliant finish. Drink or hold.
Jeb Dunnuck: 97
Vying for the top Sauternes in this report, the 2016 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey is made by Valérie Lavigne and is 93% Sémillon, 6% Sauvignon, and 1% Muscadelle that was harvested between September 29th and November 4th. Brought up in one-third new oak, it boasts a beautifully honeyed bouquet of orange blossom, brioche, crushed rocks, and flower oil. Thick, opulent, and straight-up sexy on the palate, it has balancing acidity and a great, great finish. Drink this brilliant Sauternes any time over the coming two decades or more.