Chateau Faizeau Vieilles Vignes Montagne Saint Emilion 2020 vs Cornas, Cuvée Hommage, Franck Balthazar, Rhône 2023

Chateau Faizeau Vieilles Vignes Montagne Saint Emilion 2020

Château Faizeau Vieilles Vignes is a distinguished Bordeaux from Montagne Saint-Émilion, displaying a beautiful deep garnet colour with purple nuances. The wine opens with a complex nose of spice and fruit, featuring aromas of blackberry and liquorice. On the palate, it is full-bodied, balanced, and persistent, with notes of black cherry jam and a touch of white pepper, showcasing the elegance and structure of the Merlot-dominated blend. Crafted from 25-year-old vines and aged 12 months in French oak. Why You'll Love It This is authentic Montagne Saint-Émilion from Château Faizeau, one of the region's oldest estates with history recorded on 18th-century maps. Situated on the slopes of Calon hill—the highest point in Libourne—the 11-hectare estate benefits from stony graves and clay soils over limestone. With 25-year-old vines, meticulous leaf thinning, hand-harvesting in trays, and 12 months in French oak (50% new), this wine offers remarkable depth and elegance at exceptional value for quality Right Bank Bordeaux. Meet the Producer "Faizeau" takes its name from the Benedictine abbey of Faize, historically linked to vineyards in Pauillac and Saint-Émilion. Situated on the slopes of Calon hill—the highest point in Libourne—Château Faizeau is one of the region's oldest estates, with a history recorded on 18th-century maps by engineer Belleyme. Vineyards The estate spans 11 hectares in a single stretch, with stony graves and clay soils over limestone. The vineyards are east- and west-facing, bathed in sunshine throughout the day, producing Merlot and Cabernet Franc from 25-year-old vines. Vines are trained using simple Guyot methods, leaves are meticulously thinned, and grapes are hand-harvested in trays to preserve integrity. Production Vinification is traditional, using thermoregulated concrete vats. Fermentation is carefully managed with closed-circuit pump-overs to control oxygen and maintain the purity of the fruit. The wine is matured in French oak barrels for 12