List of products by brand CLOS HAUT-PEYRAGUEY
Classified Premier Cru in 1855, Clos Haut-Peyraguey stands as one of the most precise and historically grounded expressions of the Sauternes appellation. Situated in the commune of Bommes, in the Gironde, this 12-hectare château brings together centuries of winemaking continuity and a demanding approach to viticulture under the stewardship of Bernard Magrez since 2012.
A history rooted in 1618
The origins of Clos Haut-Peyraguey reach back to 1618, when the property formed part of a larger barony on the plateau of Bommes. That ancient estate was divided in 1879, giving rise to the distinct château we know today. The Pauly family acquired it in 1914 and held it for nearly a century, before Bernard Magrez — one of Bordeaux's most prominent négociants and estate owners — completed the purchase in 2012. Under his direction, the château has undergone a careful programme of investment, both in the vineyard and in the winery, while preserving the character that earned its classification more than 170 years ago.
Terroir: gravelly soils on the slopes of Bommes
The vineyard occupies the north-east-facing slopes and plateau of Bommes, at elevations ranging from 50 to 80 metres — a position that brings natural drainage, good sun exposure, and the morning mists from the Ciron river that are essential to the development of Botrytis cinerea, the noble rot at the heart of every great Sauternes. The soils are gravelly and sandy over a clay subsoil, a combination that tempers vigour, concentrates the fruit, and lends the wines their characteristic tension. The encépagement is built around Sémillon, the dominant variety in Sauternes, complemented by Sauvignon Blanc, which contributes freshness and aromatic lift to the blend.
HVE certification and a commitment to responsible viticulture
Since the 2012 takeover, Clos Haut-Peyraguey has pursued Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) certification, a French national standard that assesses biodiversity, plant protection practices, water management, and fertilisation. For a classified Sauternes property, this commitment reflects a genuine shift in how the vineyard is managed — reducing chemical inputs, preserving soil life, and working in closer harmony with the natural rhythms of the appellation. It is a direction we regard as entirely consistent with the long-term quality of the wines.
The wines of Clos Haut-Peyraguey
The château produces exclusively white wines under the Sauternes appellation. The range centres on botrytised liquoreux of real depth and refinement:
- Clos Haut-Peyraguey (Sauternes Premier Cru Classé) — the grand vin, a richly textured liquoreux with notes of candied citrus, apricot, and honeyed spice, underpinned by the freshness that Bommes terroir reliably delivers.
- Symphonie de Haut-Peyraguey — the second wine, offering an earlier-drinking expression of the same parcel selection, with comparable aromatic complexity at a more accessible stage of maturity.
Why we have selected Clos Haut-Peyraguey
At Halles Quercamps, we have listed Clos Haut-Peyraguey for three reasons that matter to us as merchants. First, the rigour of its parcel-by-parcel approach: in an appellation where the temptation to blend broadly is ever-present, this château maintains a discipline in the vineyard that shows clearly in the glass. Second, the consistency of its vintages since 2012: Bernard Magrez's investment has produced a measurable improvement in quality across successive releases, and we have followed that progression closely. Third, the HVE certification, which gives our customers a verifiable environmental benchmark rather than a marketing claim.
This is a château we recommend to confirmed Sauternes enthusiasts looking to explore the Bommes plateau alongside better-known neighbours, and equally to those building a cellar of classified Bordeaux whites. At the table, these wines are magnificent alongside Roquefort or a well-aged foie gras, but they reward patience equally well as a contemplative glass on their own after a decade in the cellar.
Discover all wines from Clos Haut-Peyraguey
Browse the full range of vintages and cuvées from this Premier Cru Sauternes château in the selection below.