Region | |
---|---|
Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
Colour | Red |
Type | Still |
Consistently good wines are produced here at this Irish-owned Chateau. The prices remain modest despite the quality and the wines are always typically Graves in style. Strong efforts are being made here by wine-maker Stephen Carrier with Hubert de Bouard of Angelus consulting. The 70 hectares of vines are planted with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc and 2.5% Petit Verdot. No wine was produced in 2017 and teh yield was small in 2018 - just 24 hl/ha. The final 2018 blend was 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot are being aged in barrels - of which 70% are new - but the Merlot and Cabernet Franc in larger sizes. Stephen told us that he sees this as a more elegant version of the 2010.
Very attractive center palate with dark-berry, walnut and cedar character. Just a hint of bark. Medium-bodied. Juicy finish.
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 de Fieuzal rocks up with gregarious scents of baked plums, stewed cherries and dried mulberries plus suggestions of Chinese five spice, unsmoked cigars and sautéed herbs. The rich, full-bodied palate has loads of exotic spice and raisin cake layers with a firm, chewy frame, finishing just a little hard.
Barrel sample. Black core, purple rim. Very ripe fruit – damson and black plum. Lots of oak and spice. Chewy and rich, full-on fruit but a bit flat on the finish.
Drink 2024-2030
Deep ruby colour, with a bright nose of cherries, cool blackcurrant and toasted spices. Chalky, restrained and earthy on the palate, the core is compact but ripe, showing good restraint and elegance, with added sweetness from a lick of toasty oak. Well proportioned and perfectly balanced, this is a wine for the classicists, with brightness of acidity and freshness of fruit on the long finish.
Ripe and floral with a lot of oak, this is a dense and exotic wine and I think that there is a good chance that it will find equilibrium within a decade and will be a decent wine.