Château de Fargues
Sauternes, the king of wines and the wine of kings. The reputation of this region in Southern Bordeaux is immense. This area produces wines that are sought after by collectors from all over the world. And they also hold the ability to age exceptionally well.
So what is it with this Chateau that makes such rare and magical wines?
Chateau de Fargues produces one of the great wines in Sauternes. The magic starts at ‘Botrytis Cinerea’, or better known as Noble Rot. Which is a fungus that plays an immense role in creating these beautiful wines. There is however a huge downside on making use of Botrytis. It also damages the grapes, and that means it will leave barely one glass of Fargues per vine, in stead of a bottle.
But that does not stop this Chateau, because the results are phenomenal. De Fargues’ motto is somewhat close to:
‘Always further in the search for quality, elegance and refinement. Without Concessions‘.
All efforts are aimed at this single wine, which has created the reputation of the Estate. No imperfect vintages will be presented to the public, which means there is no vintage: 1972, 1974, 1992 and 2012.
Let’s talk a little about the history of this Chateau, because it is quite an interesting one!
Chateau de Fargues was built in 1306, and entered the family through the marriage of Isabeau de Montferrand to Pierre de Lur in 1472. Then things stayed normal for a couple of centuries, when suddenly something big happened.
In 1785, Françoise- Joséphine de Sauvage d’Yquem (yes you read that well) married Louis Amédée de Lur Saluces. She became the countess of Lur Saluces and bought the Chateau d’Yquem as a dowry (simple as that…). In 1826, she made sure a winery was built in Yquem, which was quite exceptional at the time.
During the first half of the 19th century, under the influence of Romain Bertrand, the exceptional terroirs and the expertise of the Lur Saluces family lead to great improvements in wine-making techniques.
In 1922 Bertrand de Lur Saluces came to Yquem, looked at its characteristics and rebuilt the vineyard of Fargues. And then came Alexandre de Lur Saluces, also know as ‘the builder’. He succeeded in the footsteps of his uncle Bertrand, and managed Chateau d’Yquem until 2004 and still manages de Fargues. From 1968 to 2003, he almost doubled the vineyard of Fargues, from 9.5 ha to 15 ha. Soon it will be time for his son Phillipe de Lur Saluces.
So what are the great vintages of Chateau de Fargues?
1947, 1967, 1988, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017.
However, all vintages of Chateau de Fargues are exceptionally good, the above are jut legendary. And rare. When nature allows it, the production can reach up to 20.000 bottles in one year.
Although the Chateau has a very rich history, the first vintage actually only comes from 1943, which explains its absence from the official 1855 classification of Bordeaux wines.
Nevertheless, de Fargues is considered one of the most representative Chateaux of the appelation, and creates wines that are fresh, dynamic and lively. A bottle can be kept for a very long time, longer than a century!
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Source: https://www.chateaudefargues.com/
