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

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

For a long time, this estate was renowned first for its white wine—one of the most well-rounded in Léognan—and later for its red as well, which, at its best, is one of the most brilliant examples of the Pessac-Léognan character. The past decade has marked a return to the highest level of quality for Fieuzal’s white wine. The new, state-of-the-art cellars—equipped with numerous small tanks of varying capacities, made of concrete, stainless steel, or wood—now allow Stephen Carrier, the director, to craft wines with the precision of haute couture.

Decanter

About the wine:

Aromas of ripe red berries and blackberries open the palate with refreshing acidity that, in this particular case, highlights the impression of juicy, succulent fruit rather than that of harsh tannins. The finish is long and flavorful, reinforcing the wine’s balance between ripeness and liveliness, making it a very compelling en primeur offering. A second tasting at Château Olivier on the same day revealed a wine that was slightly tighter and more reserved, but whose underlying quality and harmony remain evident. 2030–2044

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2025 Fieuzal, harvested between September 4 and 26, is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 10% Petit Verdot. In the glass, it releases aromas of blackcurrant, blackberries, wisteria, and flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, complex, and precise, it centers on a fleshy, fruity core, framed by velvety, finely chiseled tannins, and concludes with a long, airy, and fragrant finish. More structured than usual, it remains well-balanced, supported by lively acidity and a subtle, food-friendly bitterness on the finish. It is a classic expression and one of Bordeaux’s best values 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 south of Léognan, produced some of Bordeaux’s greatest white wines in the 1980s. After being sold to Banque Populaire in 1994, Fieuzal’s fortunes declined until 2001. That was the year Irish businessman Lochlann Quinn acquired the estate and hired Stephen Carrier, originally from Champagne, as its director. From then on, the estate regained its excellent standing, with a clear focus on body, structure, and tannic elegance in the reds, and—with the arrival of consultant Thomas Duclos—freshness as well. Despite some setbacks (2013) and major successes (2008), the whites are gradually regaining their full-bodied, intense character and aging potential.

James Suckling

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

One of the most spectacular examples of the recent progress made by the Graves classified growths. The fundamentals have been reevaluated: the vineyard layout has been revised, the winery renovated (with more vats), the Merlot proportion slightly increased, expert advice incorporated, and a focus on freshness established as the guiding principle. The trend toward higher quality is confirmed. A subtle yet enchanting, spring-like nose, with notes of violet and bay leaf. The work on the tannins (fine and silky) results in a full-bodied, rich, and flavorful palate with pure red fruit. And, indeed, a persistent, energetic freshness. A perfect synthesis of classic Bordeaux style and modernity.

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 notes 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 literary or poetic contexts, respectively—which shows that the Académie Française can be quite contemporary at times). On the palate, the wine reveals itself gradually. While it certainly follows a linear path that moves straight to the point, 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, prolonging the fruity impact and highlighting the wine’s freshness. A unifying and inviting wine that can be enjoyed both young and as it ages. 2029–2055