Chateau Faizeau Montagne St. Emilion Bordeaux, Complete Guide

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

Chateau Faizeau History, Overview

Chateau Faizeau takes its name from the Benedictine Abbey of Faize, which is located quite close to the vineyard. Chateau Faizeau is now owned by the large negociant firm, Crus et Domaines de France.

They purchased the estate in 2011 from Chantal Lebreton. Previously, Chateau Faizeau was owned by the Raynaud family, which still count among their holdings in the Right Bank, Chateau La Croix de Gay and Chateau La Fleur de Gay, which are both located in Pomerol.

Until 2000, the well-known consultant, Dr. Alain Raynaud was involved with the estate, but that changed when his sister, Chantal Lebreton purchased his shares in the winery. Following the exit of Alain Raynaud, the well-known consultant Michel Rolland was brought in to assist with the wine making.

Chateau Faizeau Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 12 hectare vineyard of Chateau Faizeau is planted to 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. The entire vineyard is one large block of vines. The terroir is a mix of sand, clay and limestone soils.

On average, the vines are close to 50 years of age. However, the vineyard has some of the oldest vines in the Right Bank. The oldest vines survived the devastating frost of 1956. In fact, they have vines that are more than 100 years of age, as they were planted all the way back in 1911!

More than just old vines, their hillside terroir is on perhaps the highest elevation in the appellation. The vineyard, located on the hill of Calon hits 89 meters at its peak.

To produce the wine of Chateau Faizeau, the wine is vinified in temperature controlled, stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged in an average of 50% new, French oak barrels for between 18 to 24 months. Previously, the top wine was sold under the name of Chateau Faizeau.

However, that is no longer the case as the name of the wine has been changed to Chateau Faizeau Selection Vieilles Vignes. The reason is, today, only the grapes from the estates oldest vines are used in the Grand Vin. The fruit from the younger vines is now used exclusively for the second wine.

There is a second wine, Chateau Chants de Faizeau. On average, close to 6,000 cases of wine are produced here each vintage.

The best vintages of Chateau Faizeau are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005.

When to Drink Chateau Faizeau, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Faizeau is much better with at least 2-4 years of aging in good vintages. Young vintages can be decanted for 1 hour. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume.

Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau Faizeau offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 3-12 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Faizeau with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Faizeau is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. Chateau Faizeau is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes.

Chateau Faizeau is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms and pasta.

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