2016 Château Faugères

Château Faugères lies in Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse, on the eastern side of the Saint-Émilion appellation. This sector combines an elevated limestone plateau with clay-limestone slopes, creating a landscape in which Merlot can achieve generous ripeness while the underlying limestone preserves freshness and structural definition.

Limestone is central to the identity of the property. Its porous structure holds water and releases it gradually during dry conditions, while the clay supplies depth and body. The slightly warmer eastern position helps the grapes reach full maturity, producing a Saint-Émilion of dark fruit, broad texture and a distinct chalky line.

Faugères held Grand Cru Classé status in the classification applicable to the 2016 vintage. Saint-Émilion Grand Cru identifies the appellation; Grand Cru Classé is a separate official ranking of the estate, assessed through Saint-Émilion’s periodically revised classification rather than the permanent 1855 system used in the Médoc.

The 2016 blend is 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. It matured for 15 months in French oak barrels, divided equally between new barrels and barrels used for one previous vintage. Merlot provides the dark fruit and volume, Cabernet Franc contributes perfume and freshness, and Cabernet Sauvignon reinforces the wine’s tannic frame.

In the glass, the wine opens with black plum, blueberry and black cherry, followed by violet, spearmint, tobacco, leather and chalk. The palate is full and layered, with ripe fruit, polished tannins and enough acidity to keep the wine energetic through its long, earthy finish.

The strength of the 2016 vintage is expressed through balance rather than simple weight. The fruit is ripe and expansive, but the limestone terroir gives the wine precision, tension and the capacity to develop more savoury complexity with time.

Roast beef, lamb cutlets, slow-cooked beef cheek, delicate duck preparations such as cassoulets, aged cheese platters.

Serve: 16–18 °C
Drink: 2022–2040