Magazine LALIQUE 2025

SPIRITS

THE TWINKLING OF THE WINE, GLEAMING GOLD IN ITS SPARKLING CRYSTAL CARAFE, IS ECHOED IN THE TINKLING OF THE GLASSES, RAISED TO THE WINEMAKERS AT CHÂTEAU LAFAURIE-PEYRAGUEY.

T he story behind this new collaboration between Lalique and Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, a winemaking estate in the Sauternes region of France which achieved Premier Grand Cru Classé certification in 1855, takes us back to 2021. The vineyard, now a part of Lalique Group, had weathered an especially complex year, requiring the experience and expertise of a stellar team able to rise to the challenges it faced. The freezing conditions throughout April meant that the 2021 grape harvest in Sauternes was particularly paltry. The team had to decide on an appropriate response to this – but what? Give up on the idea of excellence? Or meet the situation half-way, taking a risk on producing a low-quantity but singularly delicious batch? The cold April month gave way to a cool and dry summer, which delayed the colonisation of a key wine grape fungus – Botrytis cinerea , more commonly known as “noble rot” – which increases the sugar and acidity in the grapes to the extent needed for Sauternes wine. The rainfall in mid-September then encouraged its proliferation in perfectly ripe and suitably sweet grapes, which had higher acidity than previous vintages. The first triage, which found very few grapes ready for use, took place in early October, just before a new period of rain set in. Anticyclonic conditions then returned, with a northerly wind that promoted a faster concentration of botrytised grapes left on the vines. The second triage, which was higher in quality, took place on 10 and 11 October. A third and final triage was then possible at the end of the month.

Immense determination, perseverance, and patience were thus needed to create this divine dessert wine in 2021 – but the Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey team was more than up to the task! To provide a perfect receptacle for the precious elixir – which obtained a perfect score of 100/100 from famous wine critic James Suckling – Lalique dreamed up a unique crystal decanter inspired by a wine bottle. Following the blown pressed technique, the carafe was sandblasted and repolished at its centre, which cultivated an incomparable satin finish that is silky to the touch. The label for the 2021 vintage, designed by Marc Larminaux, Lalique’s Artistic and Creative Director, has been engraved into the very crystal itself, ensuring that the carafe is associated with this wine for all eternity. Those lucky enough to taste this 2021 vintage will be treated to a perfectly pure nose, interspersed with intense pops of candied citrus, citron, and bergamot orange, blended with notes of fresh pineapple and apricot. In the mouth, mellow notes, as fresh as they are flavourful, reach the palate with the lightest of touches.

Tasting notes by James Suckling 2021 vintage: 100/100

The transparency of this is incredible. It’s like drinking glacier water but with so much white pepper, clove, dried mushroom and spice character. Intense and pure and so perfect. Showing incredible botrytis character. It’s full-bodied, lightly oily, sweet but doesn’t seem overly sweet. Balanced and bright. It’s perfection. Historic vintage. Magic. 180 g/L residual sugar. Drink it now and marvel, but it will age for decades, possibly forever. Only 6,000 bottles made.

VALÉRIE LAVIGNE, CONSULTANT OENOLOGIST FOR CHÂTEAU LAFAURIE-PEYRAGUEY, WORKED HARD TO CREATE THIS FABULOUS 2021 VINTAGE. IT IS THANKS TO HER AND THE TEAM AS A WHOLE THAT THIS REMARKABLE WINE WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY.

With only 100 pieces produced, this decanter is a celebration of elegance à la française .

The twinkling of the wine, gleaming gold in its sparkling crystal carafe, is echoed in the tinkling of the glasses, raised to the winemakers at Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey – recognized as a High Environmental Value (HEV) certified estate.

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