Chateau Faugeres has a long history in St. Emilion dating all the way back to 1823. In those days, the vineyard was owned by the Esquissaud family. The property remained in the hands of the same family for about 160 years.
Chateau Faugeres really did not take off until Silvio Denz purchased Chateau Faugeres in 2005 from Corinne Guisez. Silvio Denz made the decision to buy the vineyard with the help and advice of Stephan von Neipperg, who also consults on the wine making at Chateau Faugeres along with Michel Rolland. Before Silvio Denz decided to produce Bordeaux wine, he was in the perfume business, which is where he made his fortune. Silvio Denz also owns Lalique as well as other wineries in Bordeaux, Spain and Italy. Aside from Chateau Faugeres,in Bordeaux, Silvio Denzo also owns Peby Faugeres in Saint Emilion and Cap de Faugeres in the Cotes de Castillon appellation.
In 2009, Silvio Denz finished a complete renovation of Chateau Faugeres. The architecturally stunning, state of the art winery, designed by Mario Botta, is one the most modern, Bordeaux wine making facilities in the Right Bank.
The large 49 hectare vineyard of Chateau Faugeres is planted to 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Out of their 49 hectares, 37 hectares are cultivated with vines. The vines are old, with an average age of 35 years. The vineyard has a small parcel of 100% old vine Merlot that is culled away specifically for the production of Chateau Peby Faugeres.
The terroir of Chateau Faugeres is mostly clay and limestone soils with gentle slopes and a slightly cooler micro-climate, lending its vineyard to later harvesting times.
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93+ Points – “The Wine Advocate”, Lisa Perrotti-Brown (March 2020)
“Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Faugeres comes sashaying out of the glass with pretty kirsch, Black Forest cake and chocolate box scents followed by hints of rosehip tea, fallen leaves and cloves. Medium-bodied, the palate has a velvety texture and bags of perfumed fruit, finishing long and fragrant. The wine was aged in 50% new and 50% second fill French oak barrels for 15 months. The blend is 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.”