Château de Fieuzal Pessac-Léognan rouge 2025 - Grand Cru Classé (Primeurs)

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

This estate was long renowned first for its white wine—one of the most well-rounded in Léognan—and later for its red, which, at its best, is one of the finest expressions of the Pessac-Léognan character. The past decade has seen the return of Fieuzal white to its former glory. The new, state-of-the-art cellars, equipped with numerous small tanks of various sizes—made of concrete, stainless steel, or wood—now allow Stephen Carrier, the director, to craft wines of the highest caliber.

Decanter

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2025 from Fieuzal, harvested between September 4 and 26, is a blend composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 10% Petit Verdot. In the glass, it releases aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, wisteria, and flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, complex, and precise, it centers on a fleshy, fruity core, framed by velvety, finely chiseled tannins, and finishes with a long, airy, and fragrant aftertaste. More structured than usual, it remains well-balanced, supported by lively acidity and a subtle gastronomic bitterness on the finish. It is a classic expression and one of the best values in Bordeaux this year.

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

This classified growth, located in the very southern part of Léognan, produced some of Bordeaux’s finest white wines in the 1980s. After being sold to Banque Populaire in 1994, Fieuzal declined until 2001. That was the year Irish businessman Lochlann Quinn acquired it, then hired Stephen Carrier, originally from Champagne, as director. From then on, the estate regained its former excellence, with a clear focus on body, structure, and tannic elegance in the reds, and freshness in the whites following the arrival of consultant Thomas Duclos. With some setbacks (2013) and great successes (2008), the whites are gradually reclaiming their full-bodied, intense character and aging potential.

James Suckling

Yves Beck

About the wine:

What a magnificent ability to focus so effectively on the concept of freshness and maturity in 2025! The bouquet initially highlights floral nuances with hints of violets before giving way to chalky undertones and finally to lively aromas of ripe black berries and licorice (it’s worth noting, by the way, that “effluve” is a masculine noun that can nevertheless be feminine in the context of literature or poetry, respectively, which demonstrates that the Académie Française is quite contemporary at times). On the palate, the wine reveals itself gradually. It certainly follows a linear progression aimed at getting straight to the point, but it takes the time to illustrate each stage with precision. The smooth, juicy notes of the attack give way to an elegant and powerful wine driven by refreshing, even juicy, tannins and a crisp acidity that energizes the finish, extending the fruity impact and highlighting the present freshness. A unifying and inviting wine that can be enjoyed both young and as it ages. 2029–2055