Chateau Fayat Pomerol Bordeaux, Complete Guide

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

Chateau Fayat, History, Overview

When the estate was created in 2006, it was known as Chateau Fayat Thunevin. At the time, it was a 50/50 partnership between Clement Fayat, who also owns Chateau La Dominique in St. Emilion as well as Chateau Clement Pichon in the Haut Medoc and Ets Thunevin, owned by Jean Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud of Valandraud fame.

The founders all shared the desire to produce outstanding wine in the Pomerol appellation. The partnership dissolved after the 2009 vintage. From that point forward the name of the Pomerol estate was updated to reflect the recent change in ownership from Fayat Thunevin to Chateau Fayat.

Today the Pomerol chateau is now known as Chateau Fayat. Jean Luc Thunevin continues to consult the winemaking and marketing at Chateau Fayat. Michel Rolland is also active here as a consultant.

Since 2009, Chateau Fayat was able to increase its holdings in Pomerol. This took place when the owner, Clement Fayat was able to merge land from three vineyards he began purchasing in 1984, Vieux Bourgneuf, Prieurs de la Commanderie, and Commanderie de Mazeyres.

A renovation and modernization of the estate took place coinciding with the creation of the much larger estate starting in 2009. In addition, they needed to put in a new drainage system and replant portions of the vineyard.

Chateau Fayat Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 16 hectare Pomerol vineyard of Chateau Fayat is quite large for Pomerol. The vineyard is planted to 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc on gravel, sand, and clay soils.

The average age of the vines is an impressive 50 years old. They have some of the oldest vines in the Pomerol appellation as they some Cabernet Franc that was planted in 1902! The vines are planted to a density of 6,000 vines per hectare for the old vines. Newer plantings are taking place at 9,000 vines per hectare.

Because the vineyard was cobbled together from various other estates, the terroir can vary. You can divide the vineyard into 31 parcels that also differ in elevations. At their peak, they have vines that rise up to 22 meters at their peak.

To produce the wine of Chateau Fayat, the wine is vinified in a combination of temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks and oak vats that range in size from 50 hectoliters to 80 hectoliters. This range of vat sizes allows for more precision during vinification.

Chateau Fayat is then aged in a combination of new, French oak barrels and vats. 70% of the wine is aged in 100% new, French oak barrels, the remaining wine is aged in vat for an average of 18 months before bottling. There is a second wine, Promesse de Chateau Fayat. On average, the production of Chateau Fayat is close to 4,500 cases of Pomerol per year.

The best vintages of Chateau Fayat are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010 and 2009.

When to Drink Chateau Fayat, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Fayat can be decanted for 1-2 hours or more. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau Fayat offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 8-15 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Fayat with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Fayat is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau Fayat is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Fayat is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

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