Wine Advocate (94)

Perfumed and elegant, the 2019 de Fieuzal wafts from the glass with aromas of blackberries, licorice, coniferous forest floor and incense. Medium to full-bodied, lively and charming, with a pretty core of fruit, powdery tannin and a saline finish, it's a seamless, vibrant Pessac that—like its white counterpart—reflects the progress this 80-hectare Pessac-Léognan estate is making. It's a sleeper of the vintage.

Decanter (94)

Ruby red, plenty of red fruit aromatics also, savoury redcurrant and raspberry, not as concentrated as some, this has sinew and juice, a little austere, but I like the floral aromatics as it opens. A fairly subdued Fieuzal, structured with excellent juicy tension but not generous at this point. Tasted twice. 14 months ageing.

Decanter (94)

Ruby red, plenty of red fruit aromatics also, savoury redcurrant and raspberry, not as concentrated as some, this has sinew and juice, a little austere, but I like the floral aromatics as it opens. A fairly subdued Fieuzal, structured with excellent juicy tension but not generous at this point. Tasted twice. 14 months ageing.

Decanter (94)

Ruby red, plenty of red fruit aromatics also, savoury redcurrant and raspberry, not as concentrated as some, this has sinew and juice, a little austere, but I like the floral aromatics as it opens. A fairly subdued Fieuzal, structured with excellent juicy tension but not generous at this point. Tasted twice. 14 months ageing.

Wine Advocate (96)

The 2022 de Fieuzal meets all expectations, unfurling with a perfumed bouquet of violet, iris, dark wild berries and flowers. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and layered, it gains depth with the élevage, revealing a fleshy core of fruit and an enrobing mid-palate framed by velvety, sweet tannins. Finishing long, ethereal and fresh, this blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot is one of my favorite wines in Pessac-Léognan. It will offer a broad drinking window and should improve with time in the cellar.

Wine Advocate (96)

The 2022 de Fieuzal meets all expectations, unfurling with a perfumed bouquet of violet, iris, dark wild berries and flowers. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and layered, it gains depth with the élevage, revealing a fleshy core of fruit and an enrobing mid-palate framed by velvety, sweet tannins. Finishing long, ethereal and fresh, this blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot is one of my favorite wines in Pessac-Léognan. It will offer a broad drinking window and should improve with time in the cellar.

Wine Advocate (95+)

The 2023 de Fieuzal reflects the estate’s ongoing refinement in matters of ripeness, élevage and extraction, revealing a complex and vibrant bouquet of cassis, mulberries, peony and rose petals, subtly accented by menthol. Medium- to full-bodied, precise and dense, it is crystalline and seamless, layered and finely textured, framed by powdery tannins and concluding with a long, ethereal and floral finish. This is a particularly accomplished rendition that allows both terroir and vintage to speak with clarity and authority.

Wine Advocate (95+)

The 2023 de Fieuzal reflects the estate’s ongoing refinement in matters of ripeness, élevage and extraction, revealing a complex and vibrant bouquet of cassis, mulberries, peony and rose petals, subtly accented by menthol. Medium- to full-bodied, precise and dense, it is crystalline and seamless, layered and finely textured, framed by powdery tannins and concluding with a long, ethereal and floral finish. This is a particularly accomplished rendition that allows both terroir and vintage to speak with clarity and authority.

Wine Advocate (95+)

The 2023 de Fieuzal reflects the estate’s ongoing refinement in matters of ripeness, élevage and extraction, revealing a complex and vibrant bouquet of cassis, mulberries, peony and rose petals, subtly accented by menthol. Medium- to full-bodied, precise and dense, it is crystalline and seamless, layered and finely textured, framed by powdery tannins and concluding with a long, ethereal and floral finish. This is a particularly accomplished rendition that allows both terroir and vintage to speak with clarity and authority.

Wine Enthusiast (95)

This is a smooth, ripe wine, full of warm fruits and a generous, sophisticated texture. It has balanced acidity and plenty of crispness, while at the same time a pleasant roundness and opulent midpalate. It should age well medium term.

Wine Advocate (92-94)

The de Fieuzal 2018 Blanc bursts from the glass with gregarious green mango, guava and fresh limes scents followed by green apples and pineapple plus a waft of honeysuckle. Medium-bodied, the palate is packed with topical and citrus layers, with a satiny texture and bold freshness, finishing savory.

Wine Advocate (95+)

The 2021 Blanc is turning out beautifully, evoking aromas of mint, spices, peach, lemon oil and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced, it’s tense and fleshy, crystalline and seamless, with a fresh, saline and pure finish. It feels reassuringly persistent and could age well over the next two decades. This outstanding wine is crafted from 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon.

Wine Advocate (95+)

The 2021 Blanc is turning out beautifully, evoking aromas of mint, spices, peach, lemon oil and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced, it’s tense and fleshy, crystalline and seamless, with a fresh, saline and pure finish. It feels reassuringly persistent and could age well over the next two decades. This outstanding wine is crafted from 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon.

Wine Advocate (95)

The 2023 Blanc from de Fieuzal is another superb rendition at this address, revealing a complex and attractive bouquet of pear, white peach, spring flowers and confit citrus. Medium- to full-bodied, enveloping and fleshy, it is built around a generous core of fruit framed by racy acidity and a crystalline texture, concluding with a long, perfumed and saline finish.

Vinous (94)

A sleeper in this vintage, the 2017 de Pressac is deep, plush and wonderfully expressive, with a bit more finesse than I have seen here in the past. The 2017 possesses terrific energy to match its translucent personality. Sweet floral, blood orange and spice nuances add striking aromatic top notes, The 2017 is pure class. Pressac remains one of Saint-Émilion's under the radar gems. The 2017 is pure class. Tasted three times.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95)

The 2019 de Pressac is just as compelling from bottle as it was from barrel. A complex, mesmerizing wine, Pressac offers up an exotic mélange of black cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather, licorice, spice and menthol. All the elements are so well balanced. Espresso,, lavender, dried rose petal and cedar linger on the complex, beautifully delineated finish. The 2019 is seriously impressive. It's as simple as that.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2020 de Pressac is a wine of real charm and seduction. Bright floral and citrus notes drive a core of sweet red cherry fruit. Chalk, mint, white pepper, smoke and dried herbs lend notable aromatic complexity. As always, the blend includes Cabernet Franc plus drops of Malbec and Carménère, which lends quite a bit of nuance. The 2020 is an especially elegant Pressac. In my view, Pressac remains one of the most criminally underrated wines in all of Saint-Émilion. On the other hand, that makes it a screaming value.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)

The 2021 de Pressac is one the under the radar gems in Saint-Émilion. Bright red/purplish fruit, rose petal, lavender, spice, mocha and new leather are all kicked up in a Saint-Émilion that balances fruit richness with energy. The 2021 is naturally not as deep or opulent as some recent vintages, but it nevertheless has plenty of complexity and character, not to mention the stylish personality that makes it one of the most distinctive wines in all of Bordeaux. Tasted three times.

Relish in the rare elegance of Liber Pater Graves Denarius 2018, a truly unique wine hailing from the storied vineyards of Graves in Bordeaux, France. Produced by Loïc Pasquet, Liber Pater is revered for embracing traditional viticulture practices, reverting back to indigenous grape varieties while maintaining atypical planting density. As a result, each vine of Liber Pater enjoys an uncompromised access to nutrients, enhancing fruit quality and complexity.

The Liber Pater Graves Denarius 2018 is no exception. Hand-harvested and subjected to meticulous vinification process, this luscious blend embodies sumptuous notes of blackcurrant, cherry, and hints of earthy truffle, underpinned by subtly opulent oak aromas. The finish is elegantly long and nuanced, a testament to the wine's superior craftsmanship and time-honoured methods.

From its ethereal quality to its striking richness, the magic of Liber Pater Graves Denarius 2018 is an example of Loïc Pasquet's relentless pursuit of authenticity, making it an indispensable addition to any discerning connoisseur’s collection.

Distinguished for its charm and finesse, Liber Pater Graves Denarius 2019 is truly a wine connoisseur's delight. This exceptional Bordeaux blend is sourced from the prestigious Graves appellation, renowned for its gravelly soil that contributes to the wine's distinctive minerally undertones. Produced by the revered Liber Pater estate, headed by the audacious and dynamic Loïc Pasquet, this 2019 vintage is a testament to the long-standing winemaking traditions of this eminent vineyard.

Handpicked and rigorously selected, the grapes are meticulously vinified, ensuring that each bottle of Liber Pater Graves Denarius 2019 encapsulates the best expression of its terroir. Delightful on the nose with aromas of ripe berries and earthy spices, it culminates in a lingering, balanced palate marked by silky tannins and an enduring finish. This is an extraordinary wine, made for the educated palate. Savour this magnum opus of French viticulture that embodies the perfect marriage between tradition and innovation.

Jancis Robinson (17)

Very dark crimson. Slight edge of Marmite/yeast extract. Then very sweet, gentle and Margauxish on the palate. Firm and impressive.