Chateau Faugeres 2017

ANTONIO GALLONI: "The 2017 Faugères matured in 50% new oak for 15 months. Tasted on two occasions. The first example comes across a little smudged on the nose and soft on the palate, but the second, three months later, evinces more delineation and focus with scents of blackberry, blueberry and crushed stone aromas. The palate has certainly firmed up and gained more backbone, with gentle grip and a touch of graphite and truffle on the finish. Cellar this for several years if you can because I believe it will continue to improve."

DECANTER: "Faugères is never afraid to gloss up, and here it works well - imparting a sexy burnished black fruit edge to the wine, with firm tannins and a juicy freshness running through it. Estate typicity that marries well with the conditions of the year- and in this cooler sector of St-Émilion that must have taken skilled winemaking. Drinking Window 2025 - 2040"

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung, frische Herzkirschen, rotbeerige Nuancen, zart nach Orangenzesten, einladendes Bukett. Elegant, mittlerer Körper, rotbeeriger Touch, seidige Tannine, frisch und animierend, ein vielseitiger Speisenbegleiter."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Plenty of plum cake and spice with hints of sweet tobacco. Full-bodied, dense and chewy with lots of structure. Solid and intense. This needs at least three years to soften, but already enticing. Drink after 2022."

JEB DUNNUCK: "A pleasure-bent Saint-Emilion based on 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Chateau Faugeres boasts a healthy ruby color as well as ripe, sexy notes of blackberries, red currants, flowery incense, and spice. While this cuvee is usually a powerhouse, it’s more refined and elegant in 2017 and has medium to full-bodied richness, a light, graceful texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It’s always a good value and delivers the goods, and the 2017 is no exception."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Fleshy and plush, round and rich, this wine is sweet, fruity, forward and should be great close to its release. The wine was made from a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon."

THE WINEADVOCATE: "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Faugeres comes sashaying out of the glass with pretty kirsch, Black Forest cake and chocolate box scents followed by hints of rosehip tea, fallen leaves and cloves. Medium-bodied, the palate has a velvety texture and bags of perfumed fruit, finishing long and fragrant. The wine was aged in 50% new and 50% second fill French oak barrels for 15 months. The blend is 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon."

WEINWISSER: "Dichtes Purpur mit rubinrotem Rand. Herrlicher Waldbeerencocktail. Im zweiten Ansatz viel Cassis und frisch gepflückte rote Kirschen. Am molligen Gaumen mit stützendem reifem Tannin, karamellartigem Extrakt und guter unterlegter Rasse. Im gebündelten, aromatischen Finale ein voller Korb mit schwarzen Johannisbeeren, Holundergelee und Schlehensaft. Besitzer Silvio Denz kann sehr stolz auf diesen Best Buy sein. Hier sollte man sich noch etwas in Geduld üben, es lohnt sich!"

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "90–92. Barrel Sample. Ripe and juicy, this wine is going to develop quickly. It has plenty of attractive fruitiness and is lightly spiced, with a crisp, fruity aftertaste. Drink from 2022."

WINESPECTATOR: "This is built on well-buried chalky minerality that gives the core of plum and raspberry fruit a noticeable spine. Tobacco, sanguine and savory streaks fill in through the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2022 through 2032. 3,833 cases made."