Chateau Faizeau Montagne St. Emilion Bordeaux, Complete Guide

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Learn everything about Chateau Faizeau Montagne St. Emilion with wine tasting notes, wine and food pairings, best vintages, a history of the property and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Faizeau History, Overview

Chateau Faizeau takes its name from the Benedictine Abbey of Faize, which is located quite close to the vineyard. Chateau Faizeau is now owned by the large negociant firm, Crus et Domaines de France.

They purchased the estate in 2011 from Chantal Lebreton. Previously, Chateau Faizeau was owned by the Raynaud family, which still count among their holdings in the Right Bank, Chateau La Croix de Gay and Chateau La Fleur de Gay, which are both located in Pomerol.

Until 2000, the well-known consultant, Dr. Alain Raynaud was involved with the estate, but that changed when his sister, Chantal Lebreton purchased his shares in the winery. Following the exit of Alain Raynaud, the well-known consultant Michel Rolland was brought in to assist with the wine making.

Chateau Faizeau Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 12 hectare vineyard of Chateau Faizeau is planted to 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. The entire vineyard is one large block of vines. The terroir is a mix of sand, clay and limestone soils.

On average, the vines are close to 50 years of age. However, the vineyard has some of the oldest vines in the Right Bank. The oldest vines survived the devastating frost of 1956. In fact, they have vines that are more than 100 years of age, as they were planted all the way back in 1911!

More than just old vines, their hillside terroir is on perhaps the highest elevation in the appellation. The vineyard, located on the hill of Calon hits 89 meters at its peak.

To produce the wine of Chateau Faizeau, the wine is vinified in temperature controlled, stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged in an average of 50% new, French oak barrels for between 18 to 24 months. Previously, the top wine was sold under the name of Chateau Faizeau.

However, that is no longer the case as the name of the wine has been changed to Chateau Faizeau Selection Vieilles Vignes. The reason is, today, only the grapes from the estates oldest vines are used in the Grand Vin. The fruit from the younger vines is now used exclusively for the second wine.

There is a second wine, Chateau Chants de Faizeau. On average, close to 6,000 cases of wine are produced here each vintage.

The best vintages of Chateau Faizeau are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005.

When to Drink Chateau Faizeau, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Faizeau is much better with at least 2-4 years of aging in good vintages. Young vintages can be decanted for 1 hour. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume.

Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau Faizeau offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 3-12 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Faizeau with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Faizeau is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. Chateau Faizeau is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes.

Chateau Faizeau is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms and pasta.

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Château Faizeau Wine Tasting Notes

12 Vintages 38,503 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
92
Supple-textured, lush, forward, medium-bodied, elegant, fruit-packed charmer with layers of creamy, ripe, sweet, lush fruits that will be a pleasure to enjoy on release, and for more than a decade after that. Drink from 2025-2037. 93-91 Pts.

Supple-textured, lush, forward, medium-bodied, elegant, fruit-packed charmer with layers of creamy, ripe, sweet, lush fruits that will be a pleasure to enjoy on release, and for more than a decade after that. Drink from 2025-2037. 93-91 Pts.

1,415 Views   Tasted
2021
89
Espresso, minty chocolate and plums create the core of this medium-bodied, soft, accessible, wine. Drink from 2023-2029. 88-90

Espresso, minty chocolate and plums create the core of this medium-bodied, soft, accessible, wine. Drink from 2023-2029. 88-90

1,107 Views   Tasted
2020
91
Lush, ripe, round and polished, the wine delivers ample, sweet, juicy, plums, accented by chocolate, licorice, smoke and espresso. You can drink this with pleasure on release, or age it for a few years for less fruit and more earthy characteristics. Drink from 2023-2035.

Lush, ripe, round and polished, the wine delivers ample, sweet, juicy, plums, accented by chocolate, licorice, smoke and espresso. You can drink this with pleasure on release, or age it for a few years for less fruit and more earthy characteristics. Drink from 2023-2035.

518 Views   Tasted
Dark in color and in the fruit, the wine is ripe, lush, round and earthy, with mineral-driven, chocolate-coated black cherries and oak nuances on the palate and in the polished finish. This should age for at least 12 years with ease. 89-91 Pts

Dark in color and in the fruit, the wine is ripe, lush, round and earthy, with mineral-driven, chocolate-coated black cherries and oak nuances on the palate and in the polished finish. This should age for at least 12 years with ease. 89-91 Pts

1,194 Views   Tasted
2019
91
Medium-bodied, round, soft, forward, fruity wine with ample, creamy-textured, dark chocolate covered. black cherries, licorice, espresso and plums. Give it just a year or two to fill out and it will be even better. Drink from 2022-2034.

Medium-bodied, round, soft, forward, fruity wine with ample, creamy-textured, dark chocolate covered. black cherries, licorice, espresso and plums. Give it just a year or two to fill out and it will be even better. Drink from 2022-2034.

1,053 Views   Tasted
2019
90
Rich, ripe, round and polished, with lush, soft tannins and layers of chocolate covered dark red fruits and the ability to age for a decade or so.

Rich, ripe, round and polished, with lush, soft tannins and layers of chocolate covered dark red fruits and the ability to age for a decade or so.

4,051 Views   Tasted
2018
92
Dark chocolate covered cherries, coffee bean and plum create the core of this lush, round, opulent, silky wine. Produced from 100% old vine Merlot, the finish, with its sexy, polished plums, dusty tannins and dark cocoa hits the spot.

Dark chocolate covered cherries, coffee bean and plum create the core of this lush, round, opulent, silky wine. Produced from 100% old vine Merlot, the finish, with its sexy, polished plums, dusty tannins and dark cocoa hits the spot.

1,722 Views   Tasted
Round, ripe and still a bit oaky, this medium bodied wine is going to be best in its youth for all its ripe, lush, licorice covered, dark red fruits. 88-90 Pts

Round, ripe and still a bit oaky, this medium bodied wine is going to be best in its youth for all its ripe, lush, licorice covered, dark red fruits. 88-90 Pts

3,437 Views   Tasted
2016
87
Medium bodied, forward, open, easy to like and easy to drink, this wine has plummy fruits, licorice and a polished finish.

Medium bodied, forward, open, easy to like and easy to drink, this wine has plummy fruits, licorice and a polished finish.

3,813 Views   Tasted
2015
89
Made from 100% old vine Merlot, the wine is soft, silky, ripe and sweet, with accents of licorice, dark chocolate, licorice and a kiss of oak in the finish.

Made from 100% old vine Merlot, the wine is soft, silky, ripe and sweet, with accents of licorice, dark chocolate, licorice and a kiss of oak in the finish.

3,580 Views   Tasted
Using 100% old vine Merlot, the wine is fresh, spicy, forward and offers a mineral, spicy, oak, thyme and plum finish.

Using 100% old vine Merlot, the wine is fresh, spicy, forward and offers a mineral, spicy, oak, thyme and plum finish.

3,226 Views   Tasted
2014
89
Medium bodied, soft, round, forward and on the lush, round, ripe, fruity side of the style range, the licorice and dark chocolate, dusted cherries add the right touch to the soft finish. This is already in the sweet spot.

Medium bodied, soft, round, forward and on the lush, round, ripe, fruity side of the style range, the licorice and dark chocolate, dusted cherries add the right touch to the soft finish. This is already in the sweet spot.

2,720 Views   Tasted
2012
89
From 100% old vine Merlot, the wine is fleshy, forward, flashy and fun to drink. Open, round and serving sweet, black cherries, earth and licorice in every sniff and sip.

From 100% old vine Merlot, the wine is fleshy, forward, flashy and fun to drink. Open, round and serving sweet, black cherries, earth and licorice in every sniff and sip.

2,421 Views   Tasted
2010
88
Lacking the same degree of softness found in the 2009, but with more freshness, this is still quite charming, with its black raspberry and fennel personality.

Lacking the same degree of softness found in the 2009, but with more freshness, this is still quite charming, with its black raspberry and fennel personality.

4,734 Views   Tasted
2009
89
Soft, fleshy and lush, with loads of sweet black cherries and licorice, this is ready to go.

Soft, fleshy and lush, with loads of sweet black cherries and licorice, this is ready to go.

3,512 Views   Tasted