Wine Advisor
Clos Haut Peyraguey 2005
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted blind at the 10-Year On Tasting in Sauternes. The 2005 Château Clos Haut-Peyraguey has a slight chlorine-like aroma in the glass, married with vanilla pod, dried honey and apricot scents that gather pace with time. The palate is harmonious and refined with good acidity, a little waxy in texture with hints of marzipan infusing the honeyed fruit. Yet it just seems to dip prematurely toward the finish and does not deliver the requisite complexity the aromatics deserve.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted twice in Bordeaux then in London. This has a delicate perfumed nose of lemon curd, quince, Turkish Delight and almond. Good definition with subtle use of new oak. The palate is laced with coconut and almond again, very well balanced with the oak integrating over the year between tastings. Viscous on the finish with touches of melted butter, whipped cream and orange zest. Good persistency. Very fine. Tasted January 2008.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
No tasting note given.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted single blind at Southwold. This is more fragrant and well defined on the nose: honeysuckle, quince, almond and a touch of orange-blossom. The palate is well balanced with good botrytis, well integrated oak with touches of orange zest, brioche and white peach. Nice length with well-integrated oak. This is a classy little number from a small estate definitely on the “up”. Drink now-2020+ Tasted January 2009.
About the Producer
This ancient barony, acquired in the 18th century by a Monsieur de Pichard, the then president of the Bordeaux parliament, has existed for centuries. It benefits from unique terroir and climatic conditions, supported by an ancestral savoir-faire that enables it to perform at the highest levels of excellence. At the time of the 1855 classification, the estate was called Château Peyraguey. Then, in 1879, the estate was split into two. One part was named Lafaurie-Peyraguey, as a tribute to Monsieur Lafaurie (the former owner) who had brought the property renown, while the highest parts of the estate, situated at the top of the hill of Bommes, were named Clos Haut-Peyraguey. In 2012, Bernard Magrez purchased Clos Haut-Peyraguey from the Pauly family who had run the estate since 1914. To ensure that the high levels of excellence achieved by this Sauternes Premier Grand Cru are maintained and to acquire international prestige for the growth, Bernard Magrez lavishes meticulous care and attention on the vines, applying both traditional and innovative methods to achieve a unique wine: Clos Haut-Peyraguey, a Sauternes for the initiated. The estate covers 12 hectares, 8 of them forming a single block, close to the Ciron, a tributary of the Garonne River. The vines of Clos Haut-Peyraguey are situated at an elevation of 50 to 80 metres on complex gravelly-sandy soils very suited to the Sémillon, the undisputed king grape variety at the Clos, although Sauvignon is also planted and makes up a twentieth of the vineyard. In the vineyards, sustainable farming is practised. Replanting is done by phasing in new vines, rather than replacing whole plots. Once the famous botrytis, or noble rot, has made its appearance on the bunches, the grapes are picked by hand in several sorties, only the most sugar-rich and aromatic berries being picked each time. Clos Haut-Peyraguey has won awards at the most renowned national and international wine challenges and has gained recognition by the most prestigious wine guides.
