In the glass
Aroma: white peach, apricot, lemon cream, tropical fruit, blossom honey
Palate: lemon curd, apricot preserve, orange marmalade, fresh acidity, light spice
The second sweet wine of Lafaurie-Peyraguey, sharing the estate's Bommes terroir and high Semillon content. White peach, apricot, and lemon cream notes lead a direct, energetic palate with mellow sweetness balanced by lively acidity. More accessible in youth than the grand vin.
What it pairs with
-
Foie gras with Sauternes sauce
The classic pairing scaled to an approachable price point; the wine's sweetness and acidity manage the richness elegantly. -
Peach and almond tart
Stone fruit in wine and tart resonate; almond cream mirrors the wine's subtle nuttiness. -
Bleu d'Auvergne with walnuts
Blue cheese and walnut sweetness find a counterpoint in the wine's apricot acidity and honey.
How to serve La Chapelle de Lafaurie-Peyraguey
Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
- Serve at 8-12°C. Cellar temperature (8-12°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a small dessert-wine glass (3-5oz pour). The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Foie gras with Sauternes sauce, Peach and almond tart, Bleu d'Auvergne with walnuts. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
La Chapelle de Lafaurie-Peyraguey is the second Sauternes wine of the estate. It draws from younger vines and lots not selected for the grand vin and is aged in a lower proportion of new oak. The 2013 vintage earned a Platinum award at the Decanter World Wine Awards, reflecting the estate's revitalisation under Silvio Denz.
- 1990 — La Chapelle de Lafaurie-Peyraguey introduced as the estate's second Sauternes wine
- 2013 — La Chapelle wins Platinum at Decanter World Wine Awards under new Denz ownership
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey
- Grapes
- Semillon (93%), Sauvignon Blanc (6%), Muscadelle (1%)
- Classification
- Sauternes AOC
- Oak
- French oak barrels; proportion of new oak lower than grand vin; 18 months
- ABV
- 13.0%
- Price
- EUR 25-45 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1990
Scores
- Wine Advocate 91 (2021 vintage, reviewed 2024)
Frequently asked about La Chapelle de Lafaurie-Peyraguey
What does La Chapelle de Lafaurie-Peyraguey taste like?
On the nose, white peach, apricot, lemon cream, tropical fruit, blossom honey. On the palate, lemon curd, apricot preserve, orange marmalade, fresh acidity, light spice. Structurally full-bodied, high acidity with a medium-long finish. The second sweet wine of Lafaurie-Peyraguey, sharing the estate's Bommes terroir and high Semillon content. White peach, apricot, and lemon cream notes lead a direct, energetic palate with mellow sweetness balanced by lively acidity. More accessible in youth than the grand vin.
When should I drink La Chapelle de Lafaurie-Peyraguey?
Drink 5-20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with La Chapelle de Lafaurie-Peyraguey?
Foie gras with Sauternes sauce is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Peach and almond tart and Bleu d'Auvergne with walnuts. The classic pairing scaled to an approachable price point; the wine's sweetness and acidity manage the richness elegantly.
What grapes are in La Chapelle de Lafaurie-Peyraguey?
The blend is Semillon (93%), Sauvignon Blanc (6%), Muscadelle (1%). The wine is classified as Sauternes AOC.