Clos Haut-Peyraguey

History of Clos Haut-Peyraguey

The history of Clos Haut-Peyraguey dates back to 1618, when the property, then known as Château Peyraguey, carried out its first harvests. This estate, formerly a barony, was acquired in the 18th century by Monsieur de Pichard, President of the Parliament of Bordeaux. After the French Revolution, the property changed hands and gained an international reputation thanks to Monsieur Lafaurie, a visionary owner who knew how to enhance the terroir.

In 1879, the estate was divided in two: the lower part, which became Lafaurie-Peyraguey, and the upper part, henceforth known as Clos Haut-Peyraguey. It is this division that enabled Clos Haut-Peyraguey to rise to the ranks of the greatest growths of Sauternes. In 1914, the Pauly family took possession of the estate, ensuring continuity in the pursuit of quality.

The modern turning point for the estate came in 2012, when Bernard Magrez, an iconic figure in the Bordeaux wine world, acquired Clos Haut-Peyraguey. As the owner of several classified growths, Bernard Magrez brought a new impetus to the estate by combining innovation and tradition, thereby ensuring international renown for this exceptional Sauternes.

Terroirs and Vines of Clos Haut-Peyraguey

The terroir of Clos Haut-Peyraguey is a true treasure for the production of sweet wines. Situated at an altitude of between 50 and 80 metres on the Bommes plateau, the vineyard benefits from an ideal aspect and complex gravelly-sandy soils, rich in clay. This diversity of soils encourages the development of the estate's flagship grape variety, Sémillon, which accounts for 95% of the plantings. A twentieth of the vineyard is also planted with Sauvignon Blanc, contributing a touch of freshness and acidity to the final blend.

The vineyard, with a total surface area of 12 hectares, of which 8 form a single block, is traversed by the Ciron, a tributary of the Garonne. This particular microclimate, created by the proximity of the river, encourages the development of noble rot, or botrytis cinerea, which is essential to the production of the great sweet wines of Sauternes. This microscopic fungus allows the grapes to concentrate their sugars and aromas, giving rise to wines of incomparable richness.

In terms of viticulture, the estate adopts a reasoned approach. Complantation is practised to replace worn-out vine stock, without replanting entire plots. The harvests are done by hand, carried out by "tries successives", that is to say in several passes, in order to collect only the bunches affected by noble rot, which are the most concentrated in sugar and aromas.

Winemaking at Clos Haut-Peyraguey

Winemaking at Clos Haut-Peyraguey is founded on expertise passed down through several generations, combining tradition and innovation. After a carefully sorted harvest, the grapes are pressed slowly and progressively to extract the purest juice. The resulting musts are then fermented in oak barrels, either new or previously used for a wine, depending on the richness of the vintage.

The fermentation process is followed by aging of approximately 18 months in those same barrels, allowing the wine to gain in complexity and roundness. The proportion of new oak varies from one vintage to another, in order to adapt to the character of the wine, without dominating the fruity aromas and the typical notes of botrytis.

The plot-by-plot approach adopted over several years allows for precise control of berry ripeness and final blends. Each plot is vinified separately, in order to respect the specificities of each terroir. It is this rigour that enables Clos Haut-Peyraguey to produce wines of great consistency, combining unctuousness, freshness, and length on the palate.

The cuvées of Clos Haut-Peyraguey

Clos Haut-Peyraguey - Premier Grand Cru Classé de Sauternes

The estate's flagship cuvée, Clos Haut-Peyraguey, is an exceptional Sauternes, appreciated for its aromatic richness and velvety texture. This golden wine, made predominantly from Sémillon, offers intense aromas of candied apricots, orange zest, and honey, underpinned by a fine acidity that perfectly balances the wine's sweetness. On the palate, one finds a remarkable unctuousness, with notes of tropical fruits, caramel, and vanilla, enhanced by a touch of freshness contributed by the Sauvignon Blanc.

Recent vintages, such as 2019 and 2020, are particularly praised by critics for their elegance and aging potential. The wine evolves magnificently over time, developing more complex aromas of dried fruits, gingerbread, and truffle, while retaining a beautiful freshness.

Symphonie de Haut-Peyraguey

The estate's second wine, formerly known as Château Haut Bommes, was renamed Symphonie de Haut-Peyraguey in 2014. This more accessible cuvée retains the characteristics of the terroir and botrytis, while offering a lighter and fresher profile. Ideal for earlier consumption, this Sauternes charms with its aromas of peach, pear, and white flowers, with a moderate sweetness and a lively, refreshing finish.

The estate's annual production is approximately 3,000 cases, divided between the two cuvées. The wines of Clos Haut-Peyraguey are regularly awarded at international competitions and feature in the most prestigious guides.

The finest vintages of Sauternes and Barsac, two prestigious appellations of Bordeaux, include exceptional years such as 1945, 1947, 1949, 1955, 1959, and 1967, renowned for their finesse and complexity. Among more recent vintages, notable years include 1975, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, as well as the legendary 2001. Lovers of sweet wines will also appreciate the years 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2013. Finally, the excellent climatic conditions of recent decades have yielded memorable vintages in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. These wines offer a unique aromatic richness and a remarkable aging potential.

Discover the exceptional treasures of the Grands Crus Classés of Sauternes and Barsac, where each estate tells a unique story of craftsmanship and excellence. The prestigious Château d'Yquem, Premier Grand Cru Supérieur, embodies the quintessence of Sauternes. Among the Premiers Grands Crus Classés, explore the subtleties of Château Climens and Château Coutet in Barsac, as well as the wonders of Château Guiraud, Clos Haut-Peyraguey, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Château La Tour Blanche, Château Rabaud-Promis, Château de Rayne-Vigneau, Château Rieussec, Château Sigalas-Rabaud, and Château Suduiraut in Sauternes. Each estate invites you to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of sweet wines, combining aromatic richness, finesse, and elegance, for an unforgettable sensory experience.

Clos Haut-Peyraguey, Premier Grand Cru Classé de Sauternes, is an estate of international renown, combining tradition and modernity to produce sweet wines of exceptional quality. Under the direction of Bernard Magrez, the estate has perpetuated the heritage of excellence that defines its reputation, while integrating innovative techniques to bring out the full potential of its unique terroir. The wines of Clos Haut-Peyraguey, with their aromatic richness and impressive aging capacity, are essential for lovers of great sweet wines.