Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey 2017

Good aromatic breadth, notes of slightly bitter citrus, without heaviness; a well-built, rich, flavoursome, high-quality whole.

Of great aromatic complexity, with notable density and breadth, powerful, imposing, very long, in the style of the vintage. It will age for a long time.

The nose of the 2017 Lafaurie-Peyraguey explodes with bombastic tropical fruits, stone fruit preserves, spices and florals with honey-nut nuances and a waft of crushed rocks. The palate is rich, concentrated, spicy, layered and fresh, finishing long. The blend is 95% Sémillon and 5% Sauvignon Blanc.

Pure, round and compact. Lower acidity, but the persistent floral and mandarin citrus aromatics offer charm and freshness. Gentle, bitter-orange finish.

A wine with fresh, clean botrytis influence and lemon curd, sliced apricot, dried apricot and apricot confiture. This has striking purity with such intense flavors of peach and apricot custard, apricot pastry and a very elegant and supple, fleshy-fruit texture with acidity that holds such freshness on the finish. Elegance and freshness meets power and purity. Concentrated in every respect – flavors, sugar and acidity. Drink now or age for a considerable time, as you prefer.

The 2017 Lafaurie-Peyraguey builds on the promise it showed from barrel. It was picked from September 25 to October 12 in two passes at 13 hl/ha, and aged in 33% new French oak. There are 132 g/L of residual sugar. The 2017 has a much more intense bouquet than the nascent 2018, with abundant scents of wild honey, heather, yellow flowers and hints of saffron, all very well defined. The balanced palate opens viscous, with well-judged acidity and impressive volume. I admire the focus and precision of this young Sauternes, particularly the spiciness that ramps up on the finish. Superb. Closed under DIAM 10 instead of natural cork. Tasted from an ex-château bottle sent to my home.

Fresh, ripe, opulent sweet honey-drenched apricots, pineapple, mango, vanilla and white peach hit the spot for those seeking a sweet nectar treat. Rich, honeyed and full, the wine remains lifted and fresh.

While I wasn’t able to taste broadly, if the 2017 Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey is any indication, this appears to be a terrific vintage for the sweet wines of Bordeaux. This vivid gold-hued effort has a wonderful sense of botrytis as well as complex honeyed stone fruits, orange blossom, and floral nuances. With full-bodied richness, a ripe, opulent texture, and nicely balanced acidity and sweetness, it’s already drinking beautifully yet should evolve for 15 years or more. The blend is 95% Semillon and 5% Sauvignon, all raised in one-third new French oak.

Luminous golden yellow with delicate lime‑green highlights. What a revelation! Ripe mirabelles, mango chutney and meringue. On the second approach, mandarin zest and Tahitian vanilla. On the full-bodied palate, syrupy extract and brilliant verve. In the aromatic finish, an exotic explosion with passion fruit and guava pulp. A Sauternes that has benefited greatly from barrel ageing and fully deserves the higher score!

Kunz barrel sample 18: (95% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon Blanc, 13 hl/ha, production 30,000 bottles) Fresh, powerful, mineral, complex bouquet of grapefruit, apricot blossom, lemon cream, vanilla, mint leaves and chalk. Dense, creamy, multi-layered, elegant palate with pronounced sweetness, ripe, well-integrated acidity, dense, varied aromas, tightly woven structure, and a long, delicately opulent finish with plenty of lingering aftertastes.

(95% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon Blanc, 13 hl/ha, production 30,000 bottles) Fresh, powerful, mineral, and complex bouquet: grapefruit, apricot blossom, lemon cream, vanilla, mint leaves, chalk. Dense, creamy, multi-layered, elegant palate with pronounced sweetness, ripe, well-integrated acidity, dense and varied aromatics, tightly woven structure, long, finely opulent finish with plenty of lingering flavors. 19/20 2025 - 2050

The 2017 Lafaurie-Peyraguey has a pale lemon-straw color. Spicy notes of shaved ginger, coriander seed, and allspice leap from the glass, giving way to a core of lemon marmalade, honeydew melon, and white peaches, with a hint of crushed stones. The palate is intense and lively, with loads of citrus and mineral layers and a long, ginger-laced finish.

With a very pure liqueur, it shows generous contours. Yet its finesse prevails and returns with vigor. A Sauternes that, beneath an apparent discretion, captivates with its elegance.

Broad, rich, with lovely acidity, a saline touch, and plenty of verve.

Complex and intense, the bouquet of Lafaurie-Peyraguey reveals notes of candied orange, lime and saffron. Creamy, smooth and lively on the palate. Thanks to incisive, finely honed acidity, the wine shows magnificent harmony and an endless finish, ideally lifted by a subtle bitterness.

The nose is elegant, aromatic, racy and refined, with a hint of spice, fine grain, and lovely controlled power. It reveals notes of quince and small yellow fruits, then subtler hints of nutmeg and citrus, joined by touches of fresh/juicy vineyard peach and apple, with nuances of spice, nutmeg, and discreet hints of pepper and ginger. The palate is fruity and balanced, offering a touch of creaminess, indulgence, a tangy/juicy backbone, some fat, and fine freshness. On the palate, this wine shows notes of crystallized lemon and crystallized mandarin, then lighter quince, with fine touches of pineapple in syrup and peach in syrup, along with subtle hints of candied ginger, almond, spice, and an imperceptible hint of coffee (in the background). Good length. Very discreet hints of honey and almond on the finish/persistence. A lovely, gourmand and elegant wine!

Green-yellow color. Moderately aromatic nose with fresh fruit and hints of mint. Caressing on the attack, suave through the mid-palate, very fruity and melting, the wine bounces back on the finish, pleasant and long. Persistent notes of candied lemon. Since the arrival of Silvio Denz, the finish of this wine tends to be less pasty—and that’s all to the good!

93–95. Barrel Sample. Great acidity gives this wine a really fresh character. Ripe yellow fruits complement the wine's freshness, with a lingering spice note on the close. It is complex, with considerable aging potential. Drink from 2024.