2016 Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Sauternes (Pre-Arrival)
SKU #1299247
98 points
James Suckling
The breathtaking nose of this Sauternes is like an essence of fresh pineapples with hints of lemon balm and floral honey. Then comes the most extraordinary marriage of creaminess and freshness that gives the palate a fluffy texture. Vibrant acidity makes this taste almost weightless at the very long, brilliant finish. Drink or hold.
(2/2019)
97 points
Jeb Dunnuck
Vying for the top Sauternes in this report, the 2016 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey is made by Valérie Lavigne and is 93% Sémillon, 6% Sauvignon, and 1% Muscadelle that was harvested between September 29th and November 4th. Brought up in one-third new oak, it boasts a beautifully honeyed bouquet of orange blossom, brioche, crushed rocks, and flower oil. Thick, opulent, and straight-up sexy on the palate, it has balancing acidity and a great, great finish. Drink this brilliant Sauternes any time over the coming two decades or more.
(2/2019)
96 points
Vinous
The 2016 Lafaurie-Peyraguey is stunning. Unctuous, layered and supremely beautiful, the 2016 has so much to offer. Baked apple, dried lemon peel, and a host of exotic floral notes all grace this exquisite Sauternes from Silvio Denz. The 2016 is rich and quite deep, and yet retains a striking sense of grace. In a word: gorgeous. (AG)
(1/2019)
93-95 points
Wine Enthusiast
Barrel Sample. A perfectly balanced wine, this boasts a beautiful harmony between bright acidity and ripe, sweet fruit. It is rich, but balanced by great acidity as well as lingering spicy notes. It is suited for long-term aging. (RV)
(4/2017)
94 points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The pale lemon colored 2016 Lafaurie-Peyraguey (composed of 93% Sémillon, 6% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Muscadelle) has a complex nose of chalk dust, honeycomb and almond croissant over a core of marmalade, peach cobbler and lemon curd. Sweet, concentrated, and backed up by oodles of racy freshness, it has a very long, layered finish. (LPB)
(11/2018)
91-94 points
Wine Spectator
This has a good, direct core of apricot, peach and mango notes, with a warm piecrust backdrop through the rounded finish. Still showing a bit of turbidity, so could move up as it continues to settle in. (JM, Web-2017)
92 points
Decanter
This has a lovely texture and shows a clear botrytis character, with a lift of menthol freshness and twist of lime on the finish. Pinpricks of enjoyable bitterness on the final push give contrast to the rich body. (JA)
(4/2017)
Jancis Robinson
Floral, round and open. Good structure and rather exotic and distinctive. Rather compelling. 17.5/20 points (JR)
(10/2018)
K&L Notes
93 points Neal Martin for Vinous: "The 2016 Lafaurie-Peyraguey has a very pure, honeyed, brioche- and clementine-scented bouquet, not powerful but certainly seductive. The palate is well balanced, viscous and generous, with a honeyed opening and an almost creamy, almond-tinged finish and a long, honeyed aftertaste. Though not the best recent vintage of Lafaurie-Peyraguey that I have tasted, it is certainly a gorgeous Sauternes." (01/2019)
