France · Bordeaux

Chateau de Fargues

Chateau de Fargues is a Sauternes estate of exceptional pedigree but limited production, owned by the Lur-Saluces family — the same dynasty that owned Château d'Yquem for nearly four centuries before selling to LVMH in 1999. The 26-hectare estate has been in continuous production since 1472, and the Sauternes method here matches Yquem's exacting standards: successive individual berry selection, 100% new French oak ageing for 3.5 years, and production only in botrytis-favourable years. The result is one of Sauternes' most concentrated and age-worthy wines outside the premier cru classé hierarchy — Fargues holds no official classification, yet routinely trades above many classified growths. Across 414 auction lots, the estate averages $118 per bottle with prices reaching $1,076. Robert Parker has awarded Fargues scores of 95–100 across multiple vintages, including a perfect 100 for the 1988 and 2001 editions. Production averages fewer than 2,500 cases annually.