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.
94-96 Points Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The Chateau de Fargues has a very pure nose of clear honey, lemon curd and passion fruit all with fine delineation and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with a citrus-driven entry with touches of lime, passion fruit and grapefruit. It has great focus and “drive,” a crescendo of flavours that embrace quince, Seville orange, tangerine and spice. There is wonderful persistency towards the powerful finish. This is another great de Fargues to follow the monumental 2009.
97 Points Wine Spectator
A powerful Sauternes, with tiers of toasted coconut, ginger cream, wheat biscuit and warm brioche rising up out of the core of incredibly lush mango, papaya and orange chiffon flavors. The long finish lets bergamot, persimmon and spice notes fill in, with a flash of green tea echoing through the finish to lend a racy counterpoint to the overall heft. Best from 2018 through 2040.