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de Fieuzal 2020

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

Consistently good wines are produced here at this Irish-owned château. 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 - who has added a cellar master previously from Pape Clement and has recently changed his consultant to Thomas Duclos of Château Canon fame. The 60 hectares of vines are planted with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc and 2.5% Petit Verdot. Barrel ageing for 14-18 months in 65% new oak.

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Label

Tasting Notes

Offering up aromas of sweet mulberries and blackberries mingled with hints of licorice, violets and red fruit compote, the 2020 de Fieuzal is medium to full-bodied, rich and gourmand, its broad attack segueing into a supple, layered mid-palate that's framed by ripe acids and sweet, powdery tannins. This is a deeper, more powerful Fieuzal than its 2019 counterpart. 2023 - 2050

94
William Kelley, Wine Advocate, April 2023

Attractive aromas of ripe dark berries, sweet spices, nut shell, fine herbs and graphite. Full and opulent palate with an array of plush, fine-polished tannins which coat the mouth. Succulent dark fruit character beneath. Fresh, long-lasting and flavorful with a firm finish. Try after 2025.

93
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, May 2023

Composed of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2020 de Fieuzal Rouge is deep garnet-purple in color. It wafts out with fragrant scents of dried flowers and fallen leaves over a core of plum preserves and warm cassis plus a touch of Chinese five spice. The medium to full-bodied palate offers bright acidity and a firm, grainy texture to support the muscular fruit, finishing with great length and energy.

93
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, March 2023

The Quinn family has delivered a serious wine in 2020, abrupt on the finish right now from the heavy structure but this is packed full of bristling fruit, plump and broad shouldered and will clearly age well. Floral aromatics on the close of play that add a violet lift and an expansion that is totally charming.

94
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, February 2023

The 2020 is a blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot. The grapes were picked earlier than ever before here and there is a high percentage of Merlot in the blend as they were especially pleased with the variety's performance this year. Bright ruby colour in the glass. Heady red fruit, full of plums on the nose. The palate is warming and full of red cherries with a glossy, slick tannin structure. Earthy and rich through to the finish.

90/92
Farr Vintners, Farr Tasting, April 2021

(55% M, 35% CS, 10% PV; 13.5% ABV)
Densely ripe, black-fruit nose, stylish, subtly mineral; elegantly restrained balance; a rich middleweight, fresh in acidity, very fine in tannins; long and graceful in a 2020 ebulliently fruity style, particularly ripe and generous from the highest proportion ever of Merlot, stylish, aromatic, succulent, and fine, and with lovely fruit length, too. 2026–40+.

90/93
Michael Schuster, The World of Fine Wine, May 2021
Read more tasting notes...

A ripe, savory red with blackberry, blueberry, mushroom and walnut aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied and dense with layers of fruit and tannins.

93/94
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2021

Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 de Fieuzal sashays out of the glass with scents of black cherry compote, blackcurrant pastilles and baked plums, plus hints of violets, dark chocolate, powdered cinnamon and dried mint. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock-full of juicy black fruits, framed by wonderfully velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on an uplifting mineral note. 2024 - 2040

92/94
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, May 2021

Ruby red, plenty of red fruit aromatics also, savoury redcurrant and raspberry, not as concentrated as some, this has sinew and juice, a little austere, but I like the floral aromatics as it opens. A fairly subdued Fieuzal, structured with excellent juicy tension but not generous at this point. Tasted twice. 14 months ageing.

Drinking Window 2026 - 2042

94
Jane Anson, Decanter.com, May 2021
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.