2005 de Fargues
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Tasting notes
Thick, layered, honeyed. Oxidised note to the fruit – orange peel. But there is freshness too. Rich, opulent but not overbearing. Worth drinking now rather than keeping. (RH)
Critic scores
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More reviews and scores
A dry year, with a 40% water deficit between the 2004 harvest the 2005 vintage, giving very different aromatics from most in this vertical. Still replete with the flavours and aromatics of a young wine, you find juicy fresh apricots, pineapple, citrus, lemon curd, ginger, spiced nuts. Tasted both at the estate and within the same week also in Singapore at a Sauternes brunch held at 67 Pall Mall, both times delivering an accomplished mix of power and precision. During the winemaking, they included a few grapes that were shrivelled from the heat alongside those affected by noble rot, to ensure there was enough bitterness in the aromatic palate, and this is gourmet, luxurious, impressive. Harvest September 27 through to October 27, an exact month. François Amirault winemaker.
Demerara and caramel with apricot, crystallised pineapple and saffron – such sheer pleasure. Sleek and succulent and bursting with exquisite richness, underlined with perfect acidity. (RH)
Tasted blind. Slightly orangey copper. Occluded nose. Big and bold and blowsy on the palate. Rather brutal. (JR)
About the producer
Owned by the Lur-Saluces family (which also previously owned Ch. d’Yquem) since 1472, Ch. de Fargues benefited from similar care and attention. The resulting wines are impressive and – unlike most in the region which are now offered en primeur – only released three years after the vintage.