Château Péby Faugères 2017

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Peby Faugeres leaps from the glass with vibrant scents of kirsch, Black Forest cake, blueberry preserves and red roses plus nuances of charcuterie and Ceylon tea. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is chock-full of crunchy black and blue fruit flavors, framed by plush tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing long and perfumed. Not the usual, hedonic Peby Faugeres—I do love this more elegant, refreshing style! It is composed of 100% Merlot and was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 65% new. 10,000 bottles were made, representing 70% grand vin. Best of all, the alcohol rocks up at 14.5%—over that pesky 14% USA trade tariff threshold!

Jeb Dunnuck

Always from a single plot of very old vine Merlot planted on unique, brown limestone on the Castillon/Saint-Emilion border, the 2017 Peby Faugères will spend 18 months in 65% new French oak and hit 14% natural alcohol. It sports an inky purple color as well as a big, sweet nose of blueberries, black cherries, leafy herbs, and graphite. It's ripe, medium to full-bodied, has beautiful purity, and sweet tannin. It's not going to make you forget the 2009, 2010, or 2015, but my money is on it offering more pleasure and depth than most. Tasted twice.

James Suckling

The polish and finesse to this wine is very impressive with medium to full body and ultra-fine tannins that caress every inch of your palate. Strong, ripe dark-berry flavors and a powerful build to the finish. Reserved and finely tannined, the wine goes on and on. Shows reserve and poise. Racy. Drink after 2022.