2021 Peby Faugeres

Ripe black fruits, smoked earth, leather, and graphite notes emerge from the 2021 Château Péby Faugères, one of the more powerful, concentrated, textured wines in the vintage. Its medium to full body, juicy spine of acidity, and fine tannins all make it a beautiful, elegant Saint-Emilion that will have at least two decades of overall longevity. The 2021 is all Merlot and spent 16 months in 50% new French oak. Tasted twice with consistent notes.

The 2021 Péby Faugères continues to show a more restrained style of winemaking compared to older vintages. Quite composed on the nose, a mélange of red and black fruit, cedar and dried violets unfolds in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, a keen line of acidity and a composed finish that maybe just needs a little more complexity. One bottle showed well, while another felt rather overdone and presented a little VA on the finish, hence the question mark.

The 2021 Péby-Faugères is one of the standouts in Saint-Émilion this year. A wine of stature and real pedigree, the 2021 boasts stellar balance and tons of depth. Black cherry, mocha, new leather and licorice build effortlessly as this statuesque, layered Saint-Émilion shows off its considerable allure.