1985 Cordier Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey Sauternes
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey is a Premier Cru Classé (French, “First Growth”) Sauternes wine from the Sauternesappellation. The winery is located in the southern part of France’s Bordeaux wine region in the district of Graves in the commune of Bommes, and its château is situated on a hill top facing Sauternes' highest classed vineyard, Château d'Yquem. The reputation and price of the wine came to merit third placement at the 1855 classification of Sauternes and Barsac directly behind Yquem and La Tour Blanche. Needless to say, these wines consistently are rated well above “90” points.
Values are tough to find in Sauternes, but this is certainly one of them, especially in the good vintages. Wine production at the estate surrounding this medieval military post began after the French Revolution, when two gentlemen named Lafaurie and Mauros purchased the land, which had been marketed as a national asset. Ownership has changed hands a number of times since then, but since Cordier acquired it, the estate has been known for producing a wonderfully rich, honeyed, tropical-fruity Sauternes with lovely balance and precision of flavor.
Though 1985 was not a Vintage like '88, '89 or '90, it is still a strong Sauternes and a great value. Clear deep golden honey-light amber. Wonderful bouquet of honey, apricots, quince paste, coconut, marzipan, hint of exotic spice. Confirmed on the palate, with superb balance between acidity, sweetness, and unctuous viscosity. Some botyris evident and it has a long complex aftertaste. Steadily improved over 30 minutes, and was outstanding the following day as it relaxed into the classic Sauternes viscous velvety nectareousness. A terrific Sauternes, ready to drink now and will still benefit from again. Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey’s wines on average improve with again up to and beyond 40 years.
Values are tough to find in Sauternes, but this is certainly one of them, especially in the good vintages. Wine production at the estate surrounding this medieval military post began after the French Revolution, when two gentlemen named Lafaurie and Mauros purchased the land, which had been marketed as a national asset. Ownership has changed hands a number of times since then, but since Cordier acquired it, the estate has been known for producing a wonderfully rich, honeyed, tropical-fruity Sauternes with lovely balance and precision of flavor.
Though 1985 was not a Vintage like '88, '89 or '90, it is still a strong Sauternes and a great value. Clear deep golden honey-light amber. Wonderful bouquet of honey, apricots, quince paste, coconut, marzipan, hint of exotic spice. Confirmed on the palate, with superb balance between acidity, sweetness, and unctuous viscosity. Some botyris evident and it has a long complex aftertaste. Steadily improved over 30 minutes, and was outstanding the following day as it relaxed into the classic Sauternes viscous velvety nectareousness. A terrific Sauternes, ready to drink now and will still benefit from again. Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey’s wines on average improve with again up to and beyond 40 years.
Typical price point is $125-$150.
I’ll let my last opulent bottle of Sauternes
go for $110.
SORRY SOLD!
I’ll let my last opulent bottle of Sauternes
go for $110.
SORRY SOLD!