Château Faugères Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2019

150 cl

James Suckling: 95 points

Alcohol content: 15% vol.

Grape varieties: 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

Vinification:

Maceration at cool temperatures in stainless steel tanks for around one month, 15 months maturation in oak barriques (to 50% new).

Tasting note:

The 2019 Faugères is fabulous. Dark fruit, graphite, crushed rock, menthol, sweet French oak, lavender and blueberry jam add myriad layers of complexity and dimension to the 2019. In the glass, the 2019 is sweet and unctuous, not to mention incredibly deep. This is a particularly flamboyant style that works so well here.

Chateau Faugeres:

The winery, owned by the successful Swiss Silvio Denz, comprises 42 hectares of vineyards with one of the best terroirs in the Saint-Emillion and has won several awards. The terroir consists of limestone and also clay-limestone molasse and is the basis of this powerful, round wine. The slope of the terroir means that not too much water remains in the soil. The yields per vine are therefore low, the fruit can ripen perfectly and is therefore not watery, resulting in harmonious and exceptional wines with a pleasant drinking experience. At Château Faugères, the plots are harvested individually in order to find the perfect time for ripening.

Only 35 hectolitres per hectare, which means very low yields in order to harvest the most flavourful grapes possible. After an initial selection, the grapes are placed in small crates in the wine cellar and selected again. This ensures that only the best and healthiest, fully ripe grapes make it into the production process. The new wine cellar was designed by Mario Botta. A special feature is the fermentation cellar, which utilises natural gravity during the production stages. In 2012, the chateau was recognised for its outstanding wines in the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé. Great wines at fair prices and a steadily increasing quality, these are the outstanding characteristics of the chateau. The 19 vintage is now unfolding its full potential.