Château de Fargues has been owned by the Lur-Saluces family since 1472. The family owned d`Yquem until 1999 and de Fargues is known by some critics as d`Yquem jnr. The same winemaking techniques are use at both properties and de Fargues often matches d`Yquem in terms of power and intensity.
De Fargues’s 15 hectare vineyard is situated 4 kilometres southeast of d`Yquem and is planted with 80% Sémillon, and 15% Sauvignon Blanc. Yields are minute (lower even than d`Yquem) and the grapes are harvested in as many as 12 separate “tries”. The grapes are fermented and the wine is subsequently aged for 3 years in one-year-old oak bariques that were previously used at d`Yquem.
De Fargues’s production is small with sometimes only 500 cases a years being produced. The wines require at least 10 years of bottle ageing before they should be approached.
92 Points Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The de Fargues 1999 is described by the estate as a classic vintage that adheres to the adage “Aout fait le mout.” Two-thirds of the crop was picked in September after 8 days of rain propagated widespread noble rot. There is slightly lower residual sugar at 122-grams-per-liter. It has a more conservative, straight-laced bouquet compared to more recent vintages, revealing touches of ginger, dried honey, mandarin and a dab of alcohol. The palate is medium-bodied with a confident, viscous opening and a keen thread of acidity. Notes of mandarin, lemon peel, honeycomb and Indian spices inform the middle and finish that retains a sense of composure and linearity that suits it well. This is a very fine Sauternes for the vintage.