Château Faugères Saint-Émilion 2020 - Grand Cru Classé

In the eastern sector of Saint-Émilion, this prominent estate owned by Silvio Denz (a Swiss businessman who also owns, among other things, the glassware company Lalique) produces wines that have become great classics of the appellation. The Faugères wine offers consistently well-structured tannins, with fruit and balance that have been further enhanced in recent vintages. A cru in its own right, founded on its own vineyard holdings, Château Péby Faugères is showing greater flair and gaining in freshness, as is the entire range. In the neighboring Castillon appellation, the wine from Château Cap de Faugères is showing steady improvement.

Founded in 1823 by the family of Pierre-Bernard (Péby) Guisez, who brought it to prominence in the 1980s, this estate has been owned by Silvio Denz since 2005. The vineyard has been expanded (to 37 hectares today), and a new “cathedral-like” winery was built in 2009 by Mario Botta, the Swiss businessman specializing in luxury goods who has made Faugères a flagship of Saint-Émilion, elevating it to the rank of cru classé in 2012, just like its “cousin,” Péby-Faugères.

A vast 37-hectare estate acquired by Swiss industrialist Silvio Denz in 2005, Faugères has become—thanks as much to a bold architectural statement (the “cathedral-like winery” designed by Mario Botta) as to the quality of its wines—one of the spearheads of the appellation’s eastern revival. Located on a plateau and south-facing slopes, the vineyard is meticulously tended. The wine has shown increased vibrancy in recent vintages, which delight us with their natural character and the elegance of their fruit. The wine’s distinction and freshness continue to evolve, thanks to the clay soils that lend energy to its structure.

I believe this is the finest vintage produced to date; the 2020 Château Faugères bears similarities to the 2016, but with slightly greater density and depth. Incredible aromas of blackcurrant, ripe cherries, leather, and graphite; a full-bodied, generous richness; a deep and complex palate; striking fruit purity; and magnificent tannins characterize this sensational Saint-Émilion. It is a rich, powerful, and complex 2020 that will benefit from aging another 3 to 5 years in the bottle, but it is well worth discovering now. After 2027.

Generous fruit with concentrated notes of blueberry and raspberry jelly, brightened by a zesty, crisp, and lively blood orange character. Vigorous tannins frame this Faugères, which shows lovely development.

Characterized by notes of ripe black berries and candied undertones, Faugères exudes charm. Complemented by hints of dark chocolate and licorice, the bouquet reveals real complexity. While one might expect a sensory explosion given the bouquet’s promise, what we find is a wine that is certainly indulgent yet juicy, fruity, and harmonious! Yes, it obviously needs time to open up, but if someone wants to enjoy it young, they certainly won’t be disappointed! A seductive and compelling wine 2026–2040

The nose is fresh, refined, and offers a certain intensity, power, and a fine texture. It features notes of pulpy wild blackcurrant, pulpy boysenberry, and, more subtly, concentrated purple plum, combined with hints of strawberry, small black berries, cherry blossom, violet, and zan, as well as a subtle hint of pepper. The palate is fruity and balanced, offering lovely finesse, precision, elegance, and tension, as well as good definition, a fine texture, a touch of smoothness, harmony, a certain purity of fruit, and a subtle savory note. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy, juicy wild blackcurrant, boysenberry, and, more subtly, crushed raspberry, combined with hints of juicy, pulpy plum, blueberry, and zan, as well as hints of chocolate, caramelization, sweet blond tobacco, and vanilla. Good length.

Notes of truffle, cocoa, dark red berries, licorice, and spices come together to create a captivating bouquet. On the palate, the wine is rich, opulent, concentrated, deep, and elegant. Yet its freshness, liveliness, and elegance give it perfect balance, from the attack through to a vibrant finish with notes of cocoa, plum, and spices. Best enjoyed between 2024 and 2040.