Chateau Faugeres 2015

JAMES SUCKLING: "Very deep-set aromas of blackberries and red and dark plum fruits, set amid integrated oak spices, cedar and hints of earth. The palate has a super plush feel with intense flavors of blueberries and dark plums. Succulent tannins that are smooth, entrancing and very long. Try from 2022."

WEINWISSER: "Sattes Purpur- Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Geniales Brombeer- und Cassisbouquet, ausladend, zeigt eine reife Frucht, die mit schwarzer Schokolade unterlegt ist. Aromatischer Gaumen, sattes Extrakt, von der Frucht her praktisch nur schwarzbeerig, im Finale mit herrlichem Bountytouch. Drei Mal verkostet. Für mich ist das der beste Faugères, den ich als Primeur im Glas hatte. Wow! 90.000 Flaschen auf diesem Niveau herzustellen ist schon eine besondere Leistung."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Fruity, fleshy and fresh, this combines perfectly ripe, opulently textured, red and black fruits, velvet textures and a long end note of licorice, espresso, ripe black plums and black cherry, with a bit of cocoa on top of the fruit. Round, fat, juicy, sweet, ripe, dark red fruits, cocoa, anise, smoke and plums are made even better with the lushly textured mouth feel, silky tannins and sweet, ripe, polished fruits in the finish."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "93–95. Barrel Sample. Smooth and opulent, this is a densely tannic wine. Its dark fruits and dusty texture are backed by juicy acidity and a core of framing tannins. It will be powerful and rich with age."

DECANTER: "Over in St-Étienne-de-Lisse, planted on steep slopes, this is a fully charged wine of excellent quality. It's intense and rich, full of drama, with chocolate and charcoal flavours and silky yet firm tannins. A larger-scaled style. Drinking Window 2023 - 2038"

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, schwarze Kirschen, feine dunkle Beerenfrucht, ein Hauch von Brombeerkonfit, einladendes Bukett. Elegant, feste Textur, rote Kirschen, straffe Tannine, würzig im Abgang, ausgewogen, dunkle Mineralik im Abgang, gutes Reifepotenzial."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Beautiful aromas and flavors of warm fig and boysenberry reduction lead off, with extra raspberry and cassis notes filling in behind them. Lush in feel, with the structure nicely embedded, letting extra licorice, fruitcake and singed mesquite details chime in. The finish ripples with fruit and fresh acidity. Best from 2023 through 2035. 7,917 cases made."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2015 Faugeres is a blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 15 months in French oak, 50% new. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it has a nose of baked plums, warm cherries and black berries with touches of meat and fried spices. The full-bodied mouth is rich, opulent and spicy with firm, velvety tannins and lovely freshness lifting the finish."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2015 Château Faugeres includes slightly less Merlot than the 2016 and is 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc. Like a lot of 2015s, it’s already open and approachable and offers lots of cassis and black cherry fruits, plenty of spice, herbs and earth nuances. With medium to full-bodied richness, terrific purity and elegance, and present, yet sweet tannin, I suspect it will fill in with 2-3 years in the cellar and keep for 15+. Tasted twice."