CHÂTEAU DE FIEUZAL
2014 Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan
This is showing a little less attractively than others in the Pessac line-up on the day. Many have such impressive depth and richness to the fruit and this is just lacking a tad in the middle-palate - quite good classical shape - and with some good fine grip. Rating: 89 L&S (Mar 2015)
* This is a pre-shipment/primeur offer. All orders are accepted under the TERMS of this offer which differ from the terms of the rest of the site.
The 2014 de Fieuzal has a detailed bouquet with mineral-driven black fruit, graphite and cold stone aromas that achieve an impressive degree of focus. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, quite saline in the mouth with a lightly spiced and attenuated finish. Drinking range: 2019 - 2032 Rating: 90 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Mar 2018)
Mid crimson. Energetic and toasty on the nose. Quite angular and dry on the end. Not charming. Drinking range: 2023 - 2036 Rating: 16.5 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Feb 2018)
The Château de Fieuzal Rouge 2014 is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. I have enjoyed what consultant Hubert de Bouard has brought this Pessac-Léognan in recent years, the nose full with blackberry and warm gravel scents that are nicely defined, with well-integrated, new oak. The palate is medium-bodied with a pleasing roundness and depth on the entry. There is good structure here, just the right amount of sappy black fruit on the generous finish to urge another sip. This has good potential after bottling. Drinking range: 2018 - 2035 Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2015)
Closed black cherry aroma, not generous now but there is subdued power and tannic hold. House style is evident: firm and big, less lift than other Pessac estates, but the dark, bristling fruit is obvious and there is excellent potential for ageing. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. (Highly Recommended Pessac-Léognan, Decanter.) Drinking range: 2023 - 2035 Rating: 91 Steven Spurrier (Apr 2015)
The 2014 Fieuzal offers plenty of immediacy and vibrancy. Red stone fruits, iron, smoke, earthiness and crushed flowers flow through in an energetic, powerful wine. Slightly angular contours remain, but not enough to rob the wine of its sense of intrigue. Rating: 88-91 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2015)
Pale rim to its crimson core. Very fresh and racy nose and then lively, refreshing, super-fruity mid palate. Not especially big or forced but it should be an attractive drink. Vigorous. Very neat. Drinking range: 2020 - 2034 Rating: 16.5 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2015)
Hubert de Bouärd is the consultant at this reliable château. The oak usage is a little excessive here (with some smoky, barbecue-like notes) but the underlying fruit and tannins are well balanced, with tangy acidity, some green herbs and a minty finish. Drinking range: 2020 - 2025 Rating: 91 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2015)
A red with attractive currant and berry character. Medium body, firm tannins and fresh acidity. Builds on the palate with a chewy finish. Shows potential. Rating: 91-92 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Mar 2015)
Château de Fieuzal
Chateau de Fieuzal is named in honour of the family that owned it at the start of the nineteenth century. After that, the Bordeaux wine property was owned by the Griffon family. The Griffon’s, who were lucky to have connections to Pope Léon XIII in Bordeaux, were able to fill the Vatican’s cellars with their wines from Pessac Leognan. de Fieuzal was purchased by the Ricard family. The Ricard’s owned multiple Bordeaux wine estates including Domaine de Chevalier and Malartic-Lagravière. Today, Chateau de Fieuzal is owned by Lochlann Quinn, the chairman of Allied Irish Banks.
The Bordeaux wine vineyards are planted on sand and gravel soils. The 39 hectare vineyard is planted to red and white grape varietals. For the reds, 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc and 2.5% Petit Verdot. The white grapes are planted to 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Semillon.
Please make sure that you have read the terms of this offer which are different from those of the main website. If you are unclear as to what is involved in primeur purchases please do call us, but see the 'practical notes' below.
Ordering
Prices are per case as listed 'in bond London'.
Pre-Orders are a firm commitment from you to buy the wines you order on release, subject to the price being below the upper price of the estimated band on our website. You may also set your own upper price limit, lower or higher than ours. Pre-orders will be fulfilled subject to availability. Providing this firm commitment to us effectively gives you priority.
Wines listed on the website (after any pre-orders and allocations have been fulfilled) can be ordered in the usual way via the website order form or by email or telephone 020 7221 1982, always subject to stock remaining.
Confirmation
All orders will be confirmed by email and are contractually binding unless written cancellation is received within seven days of the confirmation date, apart from pre-orders which are binding if the release price is below the top estimate or other price you have set.
Invoices are raised at the In Bond price, excluding any duty and VAT which will become payable at the prevailing rates on arrival of the wine if required duty paid.
Payment is required on sight of invoice, by cash, cheque, debit card or credit transfer. We reserve the right to charge 2% per month on invoices unpaid after 30 days.
Delivery
- Shipment to our bond (LCB Creek Road) and insurance are included in the in bond price.
- Delivery is free to Lea and Sandeman / Elephant storage accounts, both duty paid and in bond.
- Other deliveries (In Bond and Duty Paid) are also free subject to a minimum order from the offer of £1000, orders below this total will be charged £16.50+ VAT when the wine invoices are issued. We will group deliveries and this is a charge for your entire purchases, not a per-case charge.
- Delivery for 2016 Bordeaux primeurs will probably be completed by October 2019, but we make no guarantee as to specific delivery times, and some of the Sauternes may be later.
Practical notes - how it works
We start a sale in each customer's name and add all their primeur orders to one sale which is invoiced at the end of the campaign (or when the customer wishes) for immediate payment. We and our customers find that having a single invoice for the vintage is the simpler option, but do please note that confirmed orders are still binding as above even if the final invoice has not been issued.
When the wine is shipped, unless previously specified we will assume that delivery is to be to bonded storage with Elephant Storage, but in any case, we will contact you requesting any alternative instructions. If you have another bonded delivery address you would like the wine to go to, please tell us at the time of ordering. If the wines are required duty-paid we will issue invoices at the rates prevailing at the time for the excise duty (currently £25.98 per case) and the VAT (currently at 20%) on the total of the wine cost and the duty.
Half-bottles, Magnums and larger bottles.
One of the additional advantages of buying en primeur is being able to order the wine in the bottle size you want. Even if a wine is only listed in one size, you can order any bottle or case size you want if the property supplies it, but you must order the case/bottle size you require and check that the correct size has been invoiced.
Additional charges are as follows:-
- +£15 per case of 24 half-bottles
- +£15 per case of 6 Magnums (2 bottles equivalent, 1.5 litres each)
- +£35 per individually boxed Double Magnum (4 bottles equivalent, 3 litres)
- +£45 per individually boxed Imperial (8 bottles equivalent, 6 litres) for Salmanazars, Balthazars, Nebuchadnezzars and Melchiors please enquire for availability and price.