Vineyards in Sauternes AOC

Chateau d'Yquem ★ 5.0

Premier Cru Superieur (1855 Sauternes classification)Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc100 haFounded 1593LVMH (Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton)Winemaker Sandrine GarbaySauternes AOC

The only Sauternes Premier Cru Superieur, producing botrytised Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc of extraordinary longevity. LVMH-owned; Sandrine Garbay winemaker; average 10 hl/ha yield.

Tasting: Tours and tastings available by appointment; booking through official site.

Signature wines: chateau-dyquem, y-de-yquem

Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2001), Wine Spectator 100 (2001)

Chateau Rieussec ★ 4.6

Premier Cru Classe (1855 Sauternes classification)Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle93 haFounded 1790Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite)Winemaker Stephane BiarnèsSauternes AOC

Sauternes Premier Cru adjacent to d'Yquem, owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild since 1984. 93 hectares of Semillon-dominant botrytised dessert wine production.

Tasting: Visits and tastings available by appointment.

Signature wines: chateau-rieussec-sauternes, r-de-rieussec

Scores: Wine Advocate 98 (2001), Wine Spectator 98 (2009)

Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey ★ 4.7

Premier Cru Classe (1855 Sauternes classification)Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle18 haFounded 1618Silvio Denz (Lalique)Winemaker Mathieu ChardonSauternes AOC

Sauternes Premier Cru within a fairytale 1618 castle; 18 hectares of enclosed vineyard. Lalique luxury hotel with two-Michelin-starred restaurant and 350,000-bottle cellar.

Tasting: Lalique hotel with two Michelin-starred restaurant; open to hotel guests.

Signature wines: chateau-lafaurie-peyraguey, la-chapelle-de-lafaurie-peyraguey

Scores: Wine Advocate 98 (2017), Decanter 97 (2019)

Tasting Rooms in Sauternes AOC

Wine Restaurants in Sauternes AOC

Wine Hotels in Sauternes AOC

Hotel Lalique at Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey ★ 4.9

EUR 650-2000 per nightSauternes AOC

Luxury hotel within the 17th-century Sauternes Premier Cru estate, designed by Silvio Denz in partnership with the Lalique crystal house. Two-Michelin-starred restaurant; cellar of 350,000 bottles including rare Sauternes verticals.

The list: Sauternes and d'Yquem vertical comparison tastings; botrytised harvest walks (October); sommelier-guided wine dinners

Wine Experiences in Sauternes AOC

Sauternes Botrytis Harvest Walk ★ 4.9

EUR 120 per person; seasonal October onlySauternes AOC

Guided seasonal walk through the d'Yquem botrytised vines during the October harvest, with the estate agronomist explaining noble rot progression, selective hand-picking (tries), and the climatic conditions that make Sauternes unique. Concludes with a barrel-tasting from the new vintage.

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