Château Faugères Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2019

“The 2019 Faugères is one of the most elegant wines I have ever tasted from Silvio Denz's Saint-Émilion estate. Silky, aromatic and super-expressive, Faugères is absolutely exquisite. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, dried flowers and cinnamon are some of the many nuances that open in the glass. There is plenty of the textural richness readers have come to expect over the years, but the 2019 is less over the top than some previous vintages. And that's a good thing.”

“A full-bodied red with fine tannins and plenty of plum, milk-chocolate and walnut aromas and flavors. It’s creamy and attractively textured. Rather flamboyant for the vintage. Generous and formed. Drink after 2024.”

“The 2019 Château Faugères is also ripe and upfront, yet it's slightly cooler in style compared to the sunny, exuberant 2018. Blackberries, black cherries, tobacco, chocolate oak, and lots of minerality define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a round, layered mouthfeel, beautiful mid-palate density, and a great finish. It has another 10-15 years of prime drinking. I'd be thrilled with a case in the cellar.”

“Lovely perfumed cherries on the nose, so aromatic and pleasing. This is upfront and juicy straight from the get go, with real purity of juice, crystal clean and bright. Tannins are fine and firm, supportive, but it's the red cherries and strawberries taking centre stage while the oak edges and cinnamon spice come in after a minute or so alongside some dark chocolate notes adding structure and complexity. Perhaps needs a little longer to meld together a bit more but this is lively and fun.”

“Broad and extracted in feel, this pushes dark fig, black currant and bitter plum paste flavors to the fore, along with notes of espresso crema, alder and vanilla. Stays rich yet focused through the finish, leaving a lightly toothy echo at the end. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2024 through 2037. 10,800 cases made.”

“Notes of strawberry compote, rum balls and coconut on the nose. This is complemented by balsamic hints of liquorice. Concentrated fruit on the palate, especially berry confit, velvety tannins, spicy and mineral on the long finish.”

“Deeply colored, the wine is fresh, vibrant and rich. The fruit blends black cherries, plums and strawberry with dried flowers, forest leaves and spice. Plushly-textured, long and packed with loads of ripe, sweet, dark red fruits, chocolate, licorice and spice, the soft, polished finish tastes and feels great. Drink from 2023-2038. 93 Points”

“This vintage has a lean structure with firm tanins, ripe plums and truffle; the oak dominates from start to grippy finish.”