Fieuzal Rouge 2023

The 2023 Château De Fieuzal is terrific, with ripe plum and cassis fruit as well as some chocolaty, leafy herb and damp earth nuances. A classic Graves, it’s medium to full-bodied and has fine tannins, good overall balance, and outstanding length. Based on 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot, it should easily be an outstanding wine.

Score: 90 - 92

Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com 08 May 2024

The 2023 Fieuzal reveals a bright, perfumed bouquet of mulberries and cherries mingled with floral accents of violets, lilac and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied, layered and textural, it’s pure and seamless, with a fleshy core of fruit, bright acids and powdery, ultra-refined tannins, concluding with a mineral, penetrating finish. This blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot stands out in this challenging vintage for gravelly, sandy terroirs. Under the adept guidance of Stephen Carrier, the estate—positioned on the border of the Pessac-Léognan appellation—has hit new heights in recent years. This 90-hectare estate in Pessac-Léognan is experiencing a renaissance under the stewardship of winemaker Stephen Carrier. Readers who have experienced older vintages from Fieuzal will recognize its untapped potential, though Carrier believes the estate lost 20 years due to viticultural errors made in the late 1980s—a setback he is now determined to overcome. The estate has undergone replanting at a high density (9,000 vines per hectare compared to 6,000 in its older plantings), and the varietal composition has been adjusted to better suit the soil types; approximately 60% of the vineyard consists of gravel, with sandier clay soils to the southwest. In 2023, Stephen Carrier continued his quest for excellence, producing some of the most elegant and unique wines of Pessac-Léognan and Bordeaux. The reds are refined, pure and crystalline with lively and bright bouquets, while the white wines showcase a pure profile with a saline, mineral dimension. Readers who appreciate precise, delicate wines should undoubtedly explore this revitalized estate. (Tasted by Yohan Castaing)

Score: 94 - 96

William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2025-2055 26 April 2024