Château de Fieuzal 2021

Complex nose, blackberry, cassis, floral notes, tobacco. Accessible and fairly slender, fine-grained, ripe tannins, well-judged acidity, crisp, red-fruited, spicy on the finish. A Burgundian Fieuzal.

A lovely rich tone to the nose here, concentrated and lively. Freshly picked cherry and strawberry fruit give a hit of sharp brightness before the chalky texture envelops the palate and curtails the forward motion. The acidity is excellent and this has the potential to be quite lively, but the structure is taking the fore at the moment, with an austerity that brings the wine to a close fairly swiftly, though the minerality and coolness give a long, impressive finish. Well constructed, with polish and lots of potential. 5% Petit Verdot completes the blend.

Black cherries, flowers, chocolate, tobacco, and raspberries define the aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is soft, polished, fresh, elegant, and charming, finishing with sweetness in the red fruits and a dash of cocoa that lingers from the mid-palate through to the finish. While easy to enjoy upon release, it also has the ability to age and evolve for 12–15 years. Drink from 2024–2038.

Dark ruby, purple tints on the narrow rim. Delicate blackberry and black cherry, hints of cassis and red berry nuances. Medium-bodied, red berry fruit, elegant fruit sweetness, fine tannins, fresh, mineral-citrus finish; offers lively drinking pleasure.

Tasted on two separate occasions with consistent notes, the 2021 Château De Fieuzal is an outstanding 2021 that has beautiful red plum and darker cherry fruits as well as violet and savory tobacco and leather nuances. It's nicely balanced, medium-bodied, has fine, polished tannins, and beautiful length. I love it already, but it will evolve for 10-12 years with ease.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 13% alc./vol.) Herbal, red-berry, fresh bouquet, cassis, herbs, fine woods. Medium-bodied, fresh palate with good tannins, a slender, refined structure, spicy aromatics, and a long, delicate finish.

(50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 13% abv) Herbal, red-berried, fresh bouquet, cassis, herbs, fine woods. Medium-bodied, fresh palate with good tannins, a slender, fine structure, spicy aromatics, long, delicate finish. 17/20 2028 - 2045

Shows precision and a carefully placed feeling to the tannins, softly paced extraction, soft through the mid palate. Cool climate in feel, majoring on blueberry and raspberry fruits, curls of gunsmoke, peony and iris flowers, flint and iron, will be an enjoyable medium-term drinker but without the complexity of Fieuzal in recent vintages. Harvest September 18 to 29.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 de Fieuzal Rouge bursts from the glass with expressive notes of juicy blueberries, crushed blackberries, and lilacs followed by hints of star anise and underbrush. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing and plush, with bags of spicy black fruits, finishing on a lingering anise note. This is delicious!

An enveloping nose of grapefruit and flowers (marigold, blackcurrant blossom). The palate has a caressing, rich and velvety texture, surprising for the vintage. The finish is long and indulgent, with notes of mocha.

Dark, vibrant color. Moderately intense, subtle nose. Lovely smoky note. A soft, fruity, and flavorful palate, more about aromas than body. Medium length.