Wine Advisor
Clos Haut Peyraguey 2020
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Pale lemon-gold in color, the 2020 Clos Haut-Peyraguey offers up scents of cinnamon toast, praline and marzipan, over a core of peach preserves and honey-drizzled pears with a touch of baked apples. The palate lends loads of savory nuances with a lively line delivering the long, spicy, nicely balanced finish.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2020 Clos Haut-Peyraguey has a lightly honeyed nose that feels just a little monotone compared to its peers. The palate is actually more promising, with satisfying depth. It’s viscous in texture counterbalanced by acidity, with a dash of spice on the finish. It's the aromatics that let the side down. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
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.
