At a glance

Producer

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey

Region

Sauternes, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle

Wine type

Dessert

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Sweet

Typical price

$90 - $130

Tasting profile

Intense honey, apricot, peach, citrus zest, with hints of tropical fruit and floral notes

Evolution: Develops complex notes of dried fruits, nuts, gingerbread, and lanolin over time

At peak: Silky sweet palate balanced by fresh acidity with lingering finishes

Structure

Acidity

High, balancing sweetness and enabling long aging

Tannins

Very low (typical for sweet white wines)

Alcohol

13.5%

Aging potential

30+ years due to noble rot concentration and producer quality standards

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2028 to 2047

Optimal window

2023 to 2050

Current status

Approaching maturity; drinking well with further potential

Current condition

Complex aromas with fresh acidity and honeyed sweetness balancing well

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, a Premier Cru Classé of Sauternes, produces wines with exceptional botrytis concentration and balancing acidity. The 2015 vintage was warm and favorable, producing ripe, concentrated grapes, extending aging potential beyond three decades. This accords with top Premier Cru Sauternes aging norms and vintage quality.

Food pairing

Foie gras, blue cheeses (Roquefort), fruit-based desserts, and rich pâtés

Serving

Serving temperature

10-12°C / 50-54°F

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Water conservation, integrated pest management, energy-efficient techniques in winery operations; use of natural vineyard cover crops to enhance biodiversity

While not certified organic or biodynamic, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey follows several sustainable viticultural and production practices aligned with environmental stewardship, common among top Bordeaux estates. Packaging is traditional glass bottles with minimal plastic use. The carbon footprint includes transportation emissions typical for European wine exports but benefits from regional infrastructure efficiencies.