Château de Fargues Sauternes 1er Cru Classé 2011

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Château de Fargues is an atypical and majestic estate in the Sauternes appellation of the Bordeaux wine region. Built in 1306 by Raymond-Guilhem de Fargues, the estate passed through marriage to the de Lur family in 1472 (Lur Saluces in the 16th century), and the fortunes of the estate and this family have never been separated since. The Lur Saluces are a very famous family in Bordeaux, as their name is also associated with the prestigious Château d'Yquem, acquired through marriage in 1785. It was under the leadership of the Lur Saluces that Yquem became the greatest Bordeaux wine in 1855, the only estate to have been awarded Premier Cru Supérieur status in the 1855 classification. LVMH took over the reins from the king of Sauternes in the late 1990s, but the Yquem name will always carry the legacy and commitment of the Lur Saluces.

With centuries of experience, the owners of Château de Fargues now produce one of the finest wines in the appellation. High standards and the pursuit of excellence are the driving forces of a family whose motto is "Noch," meaning "always further in the pursuit of quality and elegance, without compromise." Respect for this motto is reflected in Château de Fargues' relationship with nature, the vines, and the wine. Thus, the estate does not produce a second wine, focusing solely on the château's label. Furthermore, vintages of insufficient quality are not bottled.

This high standard, which can sometimes be harsh, is undeniably a commitment to quality. Located on a superb terroir conducive to the development of Botrytis Cinerea, the essential ally of Sauternes, the Château de Fargues plots are planted 80% with Sémillon and 20% with Sauvignon Blanc. The high proportion of Sémillon brings a lot of roundness and richness to the wine while the Sauvignon Blanc rebalances the freshness in addition to bringing superb aromatic notes. The harvest is carried out by hand, meticulously, berry by berry, to pick only the perfectly ripe and well-botrytized berries. A masterful work, once again favoring quality over quantity.