| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Sauternes and Barsac |
| Colour | Sweet White |
| Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château de Fargues
The 2001 Château de Fargues has a ton of botrytis on the nose, along with those trademark scents of Manuka honey and quince, Seville oranges and perhaps more delineation than I noticed on previous bottles. The palate has a lovely balance with botrytis-soaked fruit, unctuous in texture with stem ginger and even a hint of rhubarb on the finish. This is firing on all cylinders at the moment and represents the best bottle that I have encountered. Tasted at the Château Figeac dinner.
Still in barrel, this Chateau d’Yquem look-alike exhibits powerful creme brulee characteristics along with some volatile acidity, huge, full-bodied, unctuously textured flavors, ample intensity as well as purity, and caramelized tropical fruits. This brawny heavyweight requires 5-6 years of bottle age, and should evolve for three decades.
The de Fargues 2001 is consistent with its showing 12 months ago at the property. Here, it has a hedonistic, quite powerful bouquet that demands you attention with that suggestion of Manuka honey (my own personal favorite since discovering it in New Zealand) defining the aromatics. The palate is extremely well balanced and viscous, struck through with great tension and yet like before, it does not quite unleash that knockout blow that distinguishes a truly great de Fargues. Drink 2014-2030
The 2001 vintage was a late ripening one for the estate by an Indian summer like 1988 and 1997. The first wave of picking was between September 29 - October 4 and the final passage through the vineyard occurred on October 24. Delivering 132 grams-per-liter residual sugar and 13.88% alcohol, it has a limpid golden hue. The bouquet is very perfumed with beautifully defined Seville orange marmalade, Manuka honey and minerals all vying for attention. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous entry, noticeable acidity (a total acidity of 5.3 grams) that lends this race, and a citric line that runs from start to finish. There is a resinous/waxy note developing on the ginger-tinged finish that lingers long in the mouth. This is a very fine de Fargues that is entering its drinking window - though could it have been even better? Tasted April 2013.
