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, made its first harvest. This estate, formerly a barony, was acquired in the 18th century by Monsieur de Pichard, president of the Bordeaux Parliament. After the French Revolution, the property changed hands and gained international recognition thanks to Monsieur Lafaurie, a visionary owner who knew how to enhance the terroir.

In 1879, the estate was split in two: the lower part, which became Lafaurie-Peyraguey, and the upper part, now Clos Haut-Peyraguey. This division allowed Clos Haut-Peyraguey to rise to the ranks of the greatest Sauternes growths. In 1914, the Pauly family took possession of the estate, ensuring continuity in the pursuit of quality.

The modern turning point of the estate came in 2012, when Bernard Magrez, an emblematic figure in the Bordeaux wine world, acquired Clos Haut-Peyraguey. Owner of several classified growths, Bernard Magrez brings new life to the estate by combining innovation and tradition, thus ensuring international recognition 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. Located at an altitude between 50 and 80 metres on the Bommes plateau, the vineyard benefits from ideal exposure and complex gravelly-sandy soils, rich in clay. This soil diversity favours the development of the estate's flagship grape variety, Sémillon, which represents 95% of the planted vines. One-twentieth of the vineyard is also planted with Sauvignon Blanc, bringing a touch of freshness and acidity to the final blend.

The vineyard, with a total area of 12 hectares, including 8 in one piece, is crossed by the Ciron, a tributary of the Garonne. This particular microclimate, created by the proximity of the river, favours the development of noble rot, or botrytis cinerea, essential for the production of great Sauternes sweet wines. This microscopic fungus allows the grapes to concentrate their sugars and aromas, giving birth to wines of incomparable richness.

In terms of viticulture, the estate adopts a sustainable approach. Complantation is practised to replace worn vine stocks, without replanting entire plots. The harvest is manual, carried out by "successive tries", meaning in several passes, to harvest only the bunches affected by noble rot, which are the most concentrated in sugar and aromas.

Vinification at Clos Haut-Peyraguey

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

The fermentation process is followed by ageing for about 18 months in these same barrels, allowing the wine to gain complexity and roundness. The proportion of new wood varies from one vintage to another, to adapt to the wine's character without dominating the fruity aromas and typical botrytis notes.

The plot-by-plot approach adopted for several years allows precise control of berry ripeness and final blends. Each plot is vinified separately to respect the specificities of each terroir. It is this rigour that allows 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 of 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 primarily from Sémillon, offers intense aromas of candied apricots, orange zest and honey, supported by a lovely acidity that perfectly balances the wine's sweetness. On the palate, one finds remarkable unctuousness, with notes of tropical fruits, caramel and vanilla, enhanced by a touch of freshness brought by the Sauvignon Blanc.

Recent vintages, such as 2019 and 2020, are particularly acclaimed by critics for their elegance and ageing potential. The wine evolves beautifully with time, developing more complex aromas of dried fruits, gingerbread and truffle, while maintaining lovely 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 captivates with its aromas of peach, pear and white flowers, with moderate sweetness and a lively, refreshing finish.

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

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

Discover the exceptional treasures of the Grands Crus Classés of Sauternes and Barsac, where each estate tells a unique story of expertise 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 dive into the enchanting world of dessert wines, combining aromatic richness, finesse, and elegance, for an unforgettable sensory experience.

Clos Haut-Peyraguey, Premier Grand Cru Classé of Sauternes, is an estate of international renown, combining tradition and modernity to produce sweet wines of exceptional quality. Under Bernard Magrez's direction, the estate has managed to perpetuate the heritage of excellence that makes its reputation, while integrating innovative techniques to enhance the potential of its unique terroir. The wines of Clos Haut-Peyraguey, with their aromatic richness and impressive ageing potential, are essential for lovers of great sweet wines.