Château de Fieuzal 2016

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.

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.

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.

Medium-bodied, round, soft, and generous, with round, soft, plush fruit on the nose and palate, the wine finishes with polished, dark red sweet fruit. A little oaky at this stage of development, the wine will need aging before it all comes together.

New oak, some smoky notes paired with crushed red currant, plum and a herbal spiciness, notably mint. Rather full palate, generous sweet fruit, still a firm tannic core and long bold finish.

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.

Garnet ruby. Compact, blueberry-scented nose with blackcurrant and refined spice in the background, good density. On the palate, powerful, with a mineral core and tremendous drive; plenty of blackberry in the long finish – a long-distance runner with great potential!

Kunz barrel sample 17: (70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot) Spicy, mineral, powerful bouquet, black berries, dark wood, smoke, graphite, tobacco. Dense, velvety, powerful palate with plenty of fine tannins, silky fruit, dark aromatics, creamy structure, long, aromatic finish.

(70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot) Spicy, mineral, powerful bouquet, black berries, dark wood, smoke, graphite, tobacco. Dense, velvety, powerful palate with plenty of fine tannins, velvety fruit, dark aromatics, creamy structure, long, aromatic finish. 18/20 2023 - 2040

The 2016 de Fieuzal Rouge is deep garnet in color. It comes barreling out with bold scents of blackcurrant preserves, stewed plums, and boysenberries, plus suggestions of wild sage and tar. The medium-bodied palate is packed with taut, muscular fruit, supported by ripe, grainy tannins and compelling freshness, finishing long with a skip in its step.

In 2016, the entire vineyard, 60% frost-struck, was farmed biodynamically. Stephen Carrier reduced the use of oak during élevage and experimented with vinification, punch-downs, and maturation in three 320‑L amphorae for a small portion of the Merlots and in six 160‑L clay jars for Cabernet-Sauvignon. With its supple tannins and bright, delectable fruit, the wine shows fine balance. A pleasure-driven Fieuzal.

Nose of fresh dark fruits, Zan. Very lovely mouthfeel, round and silky tannins, good length, gourmand.

The bouquet of the 2016 has regained the splendor shown during the en primeur tastings. It is dense and reveals both spicy and fruity nuances with black-berry aromas. Its tannins are tight. It has energy, substance, and plenty of time ahead. Today, Fieuzal reveals its power and its ability to age in the cellar.

Dark colour with good intensity. Fruity nose with notes of wet leather. Broad on the attack, developing very fruity mid-palate, savoury in the middle of the mouth, the wine begins to melt and finishes on a silky body with an aromatic, rich finish and wrapped tannins. Good length.

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. Better from 2021, but with a long future ahead of it.

Full of black fruits, this rich wine has structure and juicy berry flavors. The dry core of tannins balances the dense black fruits to give a wine with an excellent future. Drink from 2024.