2010 Chateau de Fargues, Sauternes

Pale to medium lemon-gold in color, the 2010 de Fargues charges out of the gate with super-intense green mango, lemon Meringue pie and baked pineapple notes with underlying hints of toasted almonds, clover honey, coriander seed and allspice plus a waft of beeswax. Full-bodied and concentrated, with wicked backbone of acid, the densely packed, multi-layered palate delivers layer upon layer of electrically charged citrus and tropical fruit notes, finishing very long with loads of savory nuances.

The Chateau de Fargues has a very pure nose of clear honey, lemon curd and passion fruit all with fine delineation and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with a citrus-driven entry with touches of lime, passion fruit and grapefruit. It has great focus and “drive,” a crescendo of flavours that embrace quince, Seville orange, tangerine and spice. There is wonderful persistency towards the powerful finish. This is another great de Fargues to follow the monumental 2009.

Particularly fresh glace fruit to smell, vital and persistent; beautiful lively middleweight balance; sweet, pure, lemon edged, with an impression of great purity and linearity; long and racy flavour, fine spicy botrytis complexity, taut and fine, and with excellent aromatic length; great intensity and yet light on its feet too, a noticeable lightness of touch alongside its Sauternes power. Not a big, rich Fargues, but quite delightful. 2017-40+ [M.Schuster, Bordeaux Mar/Apr 2011]

Unctuous and nicely formed already, with juicy apricot, green fig and honey notes. The finish is lush, but with nice cut, showing hints of toasted coconut and almond. Sneakily long. —J.M.

Tasted blind. All the tasters loved this. Both nutty and slightly floral, herbal too. Almond paste and bitter orange but masses of freshness on the finish. Great intensity and terrific acidity. Very very long. (JH)