2013 Peby Faugeres

Peby Faugeres is usually one of the best wines in all of the top vintages, thanks to the severe selection and impressive consulting team of Stephan von Neipperg on vineyard management and Michel Rolland on winemaking and blending. The 2013, made from yields of 14 hectoliters per hectare and 100% Merlot, has some aggressive tannins to resolve, a rather intense chalky minerality, and attractive perfume of blue and red fruits with new oak is in the background. The wine is medium-bodied, slightly angular and less evolved than many 2013s, and may reveal more flesh and character in another year of aging. Certainly it-s a well-made effort, but hardly as inspiring as previous vintages have been. This large property of more than 90 acres planted in clay and limestone soils on the St.-Emilion/Castillon Plateau was cropped at 18 hectoliters per hectare from a harvest that ran October 1-12.