2015 Lafaurie Peyraguey

Tasted blind. Light nose. Racy pear-drop essence. Big and bold but maybe not the finest. (JR)

The 2015 Lafaurie-Peyraguey has a primal, petrolly bouquet with orange pith, dried honey and light adhesive scents emerging with time in the glass. The palate is well balanced and lightly spiced, with fine delineation, stem ginger and candied orange notes. Quince joins the chorus line toward the finish. It needs time, but this is a classy Sauternes that will last for years. Tasted blind at the 2015 Bordeaux Ten-Year-On tasting at Farr Vintners.

The 2015 Lafaurie-Peyraguey was picked from September 14 to October 21 at 18hl/ha via four tries , and matured in 65% new French oak for 16 months. There is 131g/L residual sugar. It has a very pure, seductive bouquet of quince and honey; later, pineapple and saffron aromas gently unfold in the glass. I find this has a touch more nuance and complexity than the 2016. The beautifully balanced palate offers superb tension and notes of wild honey, crème brûlée, praline and a hint of ginger. The acidity is brilliantly judged, and there is a sense of swagger on the finish. You could actually commit infanticide and drink it now, although I would prefer to wait at least a decade. It will certainly have a long life and will give a lot of drinking pleasure. Tasted from an ex-château bottle sent to my home.