Chateau Peby Faugeres 2016

JEB DUNNUCK: "This estate produced a blockbuster in the vintage, and the 2016 Château Péby Faugères, based on 100% Merlot aged in 65% new oak, plays with the best of the best. Coming from the oldest vines on the estate and from a southeast facing slop of unique brown limestone soils, this puppy sports a saturated purple color as well as straight-up sexy notes of sweet red and black fruits, dried earth, graphite, tobacco leaf, and hints of chocolate. Deep, full-bodied, and beautifully concentrated, with a seamless, layered texture, it’s another brilliant vintage for this cuvée. It will be drinkable in just 3-4 years and keep for two decades or more."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "It's not just the insane level of concentration, it's the freshness that comes along with it. And don't for the silky tannins, velvety textures and ocean of licorice, chocolate covered plum, and smoky notes with its finish that doesn't want to quit."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Intense black olives and blackberries on the nose with forest fruit and black truffles. Full-bodied, yet tight and focused with ultra-fine tannins and a savory, salty and juicy finish. Needs four to five years to open. Try after 2024."

WEINWISSER: "100 % Merlot, 22 hl/ha, 65 % neue Barriques. Produktion: 12.000 Flaschen. Undurchsichtiges Purpur mit schwarzer Mitte und lila Rand. Was ist denn hier los! Ein blaubeeriges Parfüm mit Brombeeren und Veilchen, total elegant, dazu Iris und schwarze Johannisbeere. Am kräftigen Gaumen mit Heidelbeeren und parfümiertem Pfeifentabak. Die Tannine sind so cremig abgerundet wie das Fahrwerk bei einem Düsenjet – im nicht enden wollenden Finale mit blaubeeriger Frucht und Wachsnoten. Gehört auch dieses Jahr ganz klar in die Spitzengruppe von St.-Émilion! Gratulation an den neuen Estate Manager Yann Buchwalter (ehemals Château Clarke) für den perfekten Start!"

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2016 Peby Faugeres (100% Merlot aged for 18 months in 65% new French oak barriques) has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. Wow—it slides sensuously out of the glass with scents of candied violets, Chinese five spice and chocolate box over a core of baked plums, black cherry compote and warm black raspberries plus wafts of new leather and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is decadently spicy, with bags of black fruit preserves framed by plush tannins, finishing with a refreshing lift."

WINE SPECTATOR: "There's fruit for days here, with a beautiful display of cassis, raspberry and blackberry puree flavors seamlessly entwined, while light anise and violet notes fill in the background. Polished and long, with a subtle graphite hint holding the finish. Gorgeous. Drink now through 2035."

DECANTER: "An extremely well made, well finessed wine from Silvio Denz. Powerful, a little heavier than some, it has the sexiness and the richness, with liquorice notes, and is one for the hedonists. Drinking Window 2027 - 2050"