Chateau Faugeres 2016

JAMES SUCKLING: The nose is redolent with ripe plums and dark cherries, as well as abundant red and purple flowers and a faint, blonde-tobacco edge. The palate delivers an ultra-rich and flavorful palate with polished, sinewy tannins that will carry this wine for some time to come. Freshness and balance, finishing taut and youthful. Full of promise, this is one of the finest recent releases from here. Try from 2023.

WEINWISSER: 85 % Merlot, 10 % Cabernet Franc, 5 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 37 ha, 32 hl/ha, 15 Monate in Barriques, Produktion: 80.000 Flaschen. Tiefes Purpur mit schwarzer Mitte und lila Rand. Was für ein komplexes, schwarzbeeriges Bouquet! Im zweiten Ansatz finden sich Schokopralinen, Kokos und blumige Fliedernoten. Am kräftigen Gaumen mit feinmuskulöser Struktur und bereits abgerundeten Tanninen, im Rückaroma mit saftigen Heidelbeeren und Cassisdrops.

FALSTAFF: Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, fester Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, zart kräuterwürzig unterlegte schwarze Beerenfrucht, Brombeernuancen, etwas Lakritze, ein Hauch von Edelholz. Kraftvoll, feiner Nougat, reife schwarze Beerenfrucht, straffe, gut integrierte Tannine, bleibt gut haften, würziger Stil, Entwicklungspotenzial.

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: Espresso, smoke, licorice, wet earth and ripe, luscious deep red fruits are all over the place. The wine concentrated, full, is rich, juicy and round textured, with staying power on your palate.

THE WINE ADVOCATE: The 2016 Faugeres is composed of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 50% new and 50% one-year-old barrels for 15 months. Deep garnet-purple colored, it features baked blueberries, stewed black plums and black cherry compote with hints of spearmint, cigar box and new leather. The palate is medium to full-bodied and laced with black fruit and savory layers with a chewy frame, finishing long with a fragrant earth lift. 6,000 cases produced.- Lisa Perrotti-Brown

DECANTER: The black fruit here is beautifully ripe and juicy, deeply fleshed out and offering control without losing impact. It's a great wine, love it. A Silvio Denz property.

JEB DUNNUCK: A perennial winner that always delivers fruit and texture, the 2016 Château Faugères checks in as 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, representing 60% of the total production, aged in 50% new French oak. Loads of black (and some blue) fruits give way to a medium to full-bodied Saint-Emilion that has classic damp earth, tobacco and violet notes, remarkable purity, fine tannins, and considerable finesse and elegance. Drink it any time over the coming 15+ years. It’s worth noting that Stephan von Neipperg consults on vineyard management, with Michel Rolland providing input on harvest dates winemaking, aging, and final blend.

WINE SPECTATOR: Shows a bit more lift than most of its peers, staying on the floral, elegant side of the ledger, with cassis and damson plum notes laced with bergamot and rose petal accents. Light incense and apple wood hints underscore the finish. Best from 2021 through 2032. 6,000 cases made.