Chateau De Fieuzal 2014

Country: France

Appellation: Pessac-Léognan

Classification: Grand Cru Classe

Grape Varieties: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc

Average aged of vines: 35 years

Description

Chateau de Fieuzal is owned by Lochlann Quinn, the chairman of Allied Irish Banks who purchased this chateau in 2001 from interestingly another bank.  They hired Hubert de Bouard as their consultant in 2006 and Stephen Carrier as their director and winemaker in 2007. Since Hubert de Bouard of Chateau Angelus in St. Emilion began consulting the estate, the wines have been showing steady improvement. Continuing to strive to provide to produce the best wines possible, Chateau de Fieuzal declassified the entire 2017 harvest due to severe frost damage.

The 39 hectare vineyard of Chateau de Fieuzal is planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc and 2.5% Petit Verdot for their red wine. On average, the vines are 35 years of age. Their oldest vines are their Petit Verdot vines, which were planted all the way back in 1908.

Review:

Wine Advocate 91-93 points

Neal Martin- 30/04/2015

Outer quote mark The Château de Fieuzal Rouge 2014 is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. I have enjoyed what consultant Hubert de Bouard has brought this Pessac-Léognan in recent years, the nose full with blackberry and warm gravel scents that are nicely defined, with well-integrated, new oak. The palate is medium-bodied with a pleasing roundness and depth on the entry. There is good structure here, just the right amount of sappy black fruit on the generous finish to urge another sip. This has good potential after bottling. 

James Suckling 92 points 

Outer quote mark The complex savory, herbal and earthy nose leads into a medium-bodied wine with some real concentration and a nice freshness on the finish, where there are some serious but well-integrated tannins. Drink in 2020. Inner quote mark (2/2017)