Château de Fargues 1996 The Wine Gate Shop
Château de Fargues 1996 The Wine Gate Shop
Château de Fargues 1996 The Wine Gate Shop
Château de Fargues 1996 The Wine Gate Shop
France

Bordeaux – Sauternes

Château de Fargues 1996

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Full description

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Ratings

94 100

WA - ROBERT PARKER

The estate

Since the end of the 18th century, the Lur Saluces have been committed to producing wines that delight the palate of lovers of this golden nectar, Sauternes. An attention that has been passed down from generation to generation since 1472 and which today allows the descendants of the family to open the Château de Fargues to amateurs from all over the world. From the top of a bastion, the first look at the imposing silhouette of the fortress which stands at the end of an alley of umbrella pines, despite the onslaught of time and history, gives an idea of the stubbornness and the abnegation of the Lur Saluces producing exceptional wines. Acclaimed by great wine lovers, Sauternes leaves an unforgettable memory.
From the birth of Sauternes wine, the Lur Saluces have made no concessions to produce a unique wine in the world, each vintage of which is a challenge, a bet on nature.

“At Château de Fargues, nature and man come together to produce grapes with a wide aromatic palette sensitive to the capricious effects of Botrytis Cinerea, more commonly known as “noble rot”. This microscopic mushroom will multiply the aromas specific to the two grape varieties, revealing in passing the particularities of the terroir.
This alchemy, this true complicity happens to be at the origin of Sauternes, a rare and precious wine, here a "Sauternes signed Fargues"... an invitation to a unique pleasure, a delicious delicacy, a moment of sharing, a moment of celebration . »
Alexandre de Lur Saluces, owner of Château de Fargues.
Alexandre de Lur Saluces, owner

The vineyard

hâteau de Fargues is a unique wine estate located in the prestigious Sauternes appellation which is known for its sweet white wine.
This estate has belonged to the Lur Saluces family since 1472, a unique example of continuity and longevity of heritage. The history of this family is intimately linked to that of the region and its wine.
The Château de Fargues produces a very appreciated Sauternes. The magic of this appellation lies in the observation of Botrytis Cinerea, a microscopic fungus better known as “noble rot”.
When it appears in autumn, the juice in the grape is transformed, it loses its volume to acquire flavors of candied fruits and aromas of flowers.
The vineyard (22 ha) is planted with two grape varieties: Semillon (80% of the surface) which brings fatness, roundness and ample structure to the wine and Sauvignon Blanc (20% of the surface) cultivated for its aromatic side and its great freshness.
In Fargues, quantity is not the goal. It is indeed the quality, vineyard of Fargues seeks to capture and bottle the exceptional aromatic palette of its wine.

All efforts are aimed at the single label, the single wine, which has made the reputation of the estate.
The property does not want to present any imperfect vintage which implies not to sign the wine of the vintages in 1972, 1974, 1992 and 2012.

“Oh! This wine, this color… drunken light (...) which dazzles your mouth” Frédéric Dard

The vintage

CHÂTEAU DE FARGUES : AN AUTHENTIC AND RARE WINE

With centuries of experience, the Lur Saluces family today produces one of the greatest wines of the appellation.


The requirement, the search for excellence are the engines of the family whose motto is: “Noch” meaning “always further in the search for quality, elegance, without compromise”.


Respect for this motto takes shape in the relationship of Château de Fargues to nature, the vine and wine.
Thus the property does not produce a second wine to concentrate on the only label of the castle. On the other hand, vintages of insufficient quality from the property are not bottled, such as 1972, 1974, 1992 and 2012.

VINTAGE 1996

All these factors contributed to the production of a great sweet wine that is both classical and elegant.

WEATHER DURING THE GROWING SEASON

Bud break was very early. The dry, cool spring led to flowering at the beginning of June. July was hot and sunny while August was hot and stormy and the grapes were fully ripe in the first ten days of September. A small crop was harvested to make "Guilhem de Fargues" dry white. Then two weeks of rainy weather helped the onset of botrytis.

HARVEST

The first wave of picking started on September 30th. There was beautiful weather in October with misty mornings and sunny afternoons. Picking continued un- til October 14th. A few light rain showers ensured fur- ther growth of noble rot.

The pickers went through the vineyards twice more before the harvest ended on October 24th. The favour- able weather conditions encouraged regular develop- ment of botrytis and concentrated the grapes beautiful- ly.

Information

  • Domain Château de Fargues
  • Vineyard Sauternes
  • Color
    White
  • Vintage 1996
  • Variety 80% Sémillon , 20% Sauvignon
  • Culture Sustainable agriculture
  • Alcohol degrees14°
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Tasting Notes

Eye, bouquet, palate

A beautifully brilliant colour. At first the bouquet is rather discreet - a sign of youth - but then the freshness and elegance of the vintage comes through. Acacia, broom and candied lemon aromas lead into a rich, botrytized bouquet with toasty overtones. On the palate, this wine is round, full, and well-balanced. The richness comes to the fore and the sweetness enhances the impression of elegance. The candied fruit (lemon) and quince jelly provide a refreshing prelude to the toasty, slightly spicy flavour. A perfect balance between power and elegance. A lovely, aromatic aftertaste. A classic Sauternes with great ageing potential.

Temperature

11°

Drinking window

2025-2040

Wine and food pairing

This Sauternes wine is ideal with oysters, white meats in sauce or creamy.