Chateau de Fieuzal Rouge 2016
(Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France) - [WE 95] [VM 94] [JS 94] [DM 94] [WS 92] [WA 92]

About the Château:
Château de Fieuzal sits in Léognan, in the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation on Bordeaux's Left Bank, where gravel mixed with sand gives the Graves its name and its freshness. The land has been farmed for more than four centuries, and the estate took the Fieuzal name in 1864. Its red wine was classified a Grand Cru Classé de Graves in 1959, and the 1893 vintage was served to Pope Leo XIII at the Vatican.

Since 2001 Fieuzal has belonged to Brenda and Lochlann Quinn, an Irish family. The vineyard is made up of 74 individual plots of six grape varieties, hand-picked and blended, and is surrounded by 30 hectares of forest and hedgerows.

About this Wine:
The 2016 Château de Fieuzal is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. The estate ages its red for an average of 12 months in French oak barrels.

Ratings & Reviews

93-95 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Barrel Sample. This wine is packed with black currant fruit. It is warm, ripe and balanced by fine acidity. The structure will allow the wine to age well, with rich berry flavors and crispness in harmony." -Roger Voss (Apr 2017)

94 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2016 de Fieuzal has a detailed, focused bouquet, wonderfully focused and precise, featuring blackberry, cedar and black olive scents. There is a sense of classicism and class here. The medium-bodied palate offers supple tannins, perfectly pitched acidity and a harmonious, tertiary finish that lingers long in the mouth. This is an outstanding Pessac-Léognan that, before its identity was revealed, I speculated could be Domaine de Chevalier. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. Drinking Window: 2024-2040." -Neal Martin (Jan 2020)

94 Points - James Suckling:
"Very intense red-plum and dark-fleshed peach aromas, plus a hint of pomegranate, make this generous, well-structured Pessac-Léognan red very attractive. However, the full, moderately dry tannins need some time to resolve." (Jan 2019)

94 Points - Decanter:
"The smoky oak is a little dominant but softens through the palate, giving a charred, smoky, cigar-box edge to the rich black fruits. This is bright and perky, with firm tannins, great impact and a feeling of fruit that was easily extracted due to beautifully ripe fruit. A good wine which will age well. Drinking Window: 2025-2038." -Jane Anson (Dec 2018)

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Youthfully vivid, with lots of red and black currant and raspberry confiture flavors driving through, inlaid with anise and sweet tobacco hints. Vibrant throughout, with a roasted apple wood note giving the finish a second kick. Best from 2022 through 2032. 4,833 cases made." -James Molesworth (Mar 2019)

90-92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"A barrel sample, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 de Fieuzal opens with cedary notes over a core of red and black currants, black cherries and tobacco with wafts of fallen leaves and lavender. Medium-bodied with a firm, grainy texture and oodles of freshness, it has plenty of compelling red and black fruit sparks and an earthy finish." -Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Nov 2018)

Jeb Dunnuck:
"The deep ruby-colored 2016 Château de Fieuzal offers the classic gravelly, earthy minerality that’s the hallmark of the Graves region as well as solid notes of ripe black cherries and tobacco. With medium to full-bodied richness, notable balance and elegance, and fine tannins, drink this well-made, thoroughly enjoyable red over the coming 10-15 years." (Feb 2019)

Falstaff:
"Deep dark ruby garnet, opaque core, subtle edge brightening, delicate hints of vanilla, dark berry fruit, some nougat, attractive bouquet. Medium body, red berry nuances, delicate leafy spice, somewhat rough tannins, dries out a little." -Peter Moser (May 2017)

17-/20 Points - Jancis Robinson:
"Tasted blind. Savoury and dense. Lots of pace after initial inkiness. Not generous but minerally and fun and promising. Drinking Window: 2028-2045." (Jan 2020)