2003 Chateau Lafaurie Peyraguey Sauternes (375 mL) Half-Bottle

The 2003 Château Lafaurie Peyraguey Sauternes is a rare opportunity for long-lived Sauternes fresh from the château cellars with perfect provenance in perfect condition—the hard work of waiting has been done for you. This classic golden elixir, which James Suckling called the estate's "best ever,"  boasts effusive aromas of honeysuckle and jasmine, and flaunts a rich yet vibrant palate of apricot, white peach, beeswax, and vanilla custard.

The secret ingredient of great Sauternes is the “noble rot” brought on by Botrytis cinerea, a beneficent fungus that increases glycerol and concentrates sugars and acids by the dehydration and shriveling of grapes. Nothing is more important to the development of noble rot than the warm, moist conditions at the sites known for producing top-flight Sauternes.

Orange marmalade, candied lemon, truffle, vanilla, allspice, ginger, and saffron. Luscious on the palate, broad and very rich, but balanced with vibrant acidity, giving it a nimble, energetic palate. Developing notes of honey, toast, and mushroom add complexity to preserved citrus and vanilla flavors on the palate, finishing long, and evolving greater complexity as it opens in the glass. Complexity we only expect to reach even greater heights with extended cellaring.

Waiting for top-quality Sauternes to mature can be trying, as the wine can endure for upwards of a century. After nearly two decades slumbering in Preignac, the 2003 Château Lafaurie Peyraguey is ready—either for immediate drinking, or another few decades in the cellar.