December 26, 2021 - Color/App: deep, burnished gold core edging toward copper. Fabulous bouquet of toffee and butterscotch, lime zest, honey and barley-sugar. Certainly no lack of botrytis here! I must admit to being slightly disappointed with this (and the '76) vintage several times in the past but not anymore; it's likely this vintage has just taken this long to knit itself together properly. Palate of creme brulee, apricot, coconut, lime, and that ineffable Lur-Saluces aged complexity. Great acidity, great length, great Sauternes (finally)! I used to think the '86 was the best year for Fargues between the '71 and the hat trick vintages of '88-'90 but I may have to reassess that opinion. Time in hand here for those with any left, though it began to fade a bit 3+ days after being vacu-vinned in the fridge.
January 1, 2020 - very similar to my last note: dark orange copper - outstanding complex fruit in the nose with beautiful botrytis smells that fully express the eloquence of mature Sauternes - excellently balanced in the mouth with sweet residual fruit complemented by restrained but vibrant acidity - long, long 60+ second finish - this is a truly great de Fargues now in its prime, which very closely resembles d'Yquem, even if less nuanced
November 29, 2019 - Not worth the $ if you bought in current times, but a nice Sauternes. Lacking a little acidity but solid, great with pecan pie.
September 3, 2018 - dark orange copper - outstanding complex fruit in the nose with beautiful botrytis smells that fully express the eloquence of mature Sauternes - excellently balanced in the mouth with sweet residual fruit complemented by restrained but vibrant acidity - long, long 60+ second finish - agree with previous notes that this is a truly great de Fargues now in its prime, which very closely resembles d'Yquem, even if a shade less nuanced
January 13, 2018 - A truly great de Fargues in its prime, the ‘75 is boisterous, bold, fruity, energetic and sweet. While elevates it is the superb acidity, tangy but not sour. Fine botrytis. Excellent balance. The five of us almost finished the bottle after many whites and reds.
February 6, 2017 - NobleRottersSydney - Penfolds prior to 2007 (360 Bar & Dining, Sydney): {cork} (Gordon) Deep gold. Nose of vanilla bean and honeysuckle, and that creamed honey we ate as kids. The palate is decadently crumbling; the sweet honeyed flavour just tinged with a slight bitterness. But a convincing mix of botrytised wine and tertiary notes, as all sorts of weird flavours flicker across the palate. Quite even palate, medium sweet, with medium weight and a medium long finish. I suspect well on the downward slope now, but still enjoyable.
July 14, 2015 - Opened by Allred. Drank alongside a 1975 D'Yquem and this may have suffered for the comparison. Medium yellow color but lighter than you would expect for a 40 year old bottle. Creamier than the D'Yquem but without as much acidity. Notes of pears and brandied peaches. I've always found this wine to be very consistent and have always scored it in the 91-93 range (1990, 1998, 2003 and 2005 being the other vintages). 92 points.
July 11, 2015 - My 40th Birthday Dinner (Anvil Club, East Dundee): From 750ml, deep golden honey color with aromas of apricot, marmalade, pear liqueur and roasted tropical fruit. Rich and viscous, with flavors of roasted pear, apricot syrup, orange blossom honey and candied citrus peel. Hints of spice on the finish. This has an amazing similarity to the d'Yquem tasted alongside, which just cranks things up a notch. This bottle was in great shape and I don't think showed any signs of heading downhill soon.
April 19, 2013 - Copper colored, zippy nose of kumquats, apricots, citrus zest, pineapple...medium weight palate of similar flavors that is intensely concentrated. Some primary sugarcane still! Intense and long flavored, a touch drying in the finish. Beautiful.
June 17, 2012 - Copper with orange and rust in color, scents of spice, apricot, pineapple, orange oil, honey, roasted nuts and a hint of coconut are found in the perfume. Previous showings offered more sweetness and depth of flavor on the palate. If had another bottle, I'd be drinking this sooner than later as it's starting to fade.