From: Bordeaux, France
Blend: 60% Merlot, 30% Cab Sauvignon, 8% Cab Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Taste: The 2018 L'Abeille de Fieuzal Pessac-Léognan Rouge presents a deep ruby color in the glass, with vibrant garnet hues shimmering at the edges. The nose is a complex and enchanting bouquet of roses, ripe strawberries, acacia blossom, sandalwood, and young blueberries, giving way to subtle undertones of graphite, forest floor, and tobacco.
On the palate, the wine is both elegant and powerful, showcasing a harmonious balance between fruit and structure. The dominant flavors of graphite and blackberry are perfectly complemented by hints of dark chocolate, black cherry, and plum, with delicate notes of violet, thyme, and cedar. The mouthfeel is silky and smooth, with well-integrated tannins and refreshing acidity, creating a wine that is at once rich and lifted.
The finish is long and persistent, leaving a lasting impression of lush fruit, subtle minerality, and a touch of savory spice. Overall, the 2018 L'Abeille de Fieuzal Pessac-Léognan Rouge is an exquisite wine that is both approachable in its youth and worthy of aging for a decade or more.
Critical Acclaim: 91 Points WE- with a dominance of Merlot, this second wine of Choteau de Fieuzal is rich while keeping a good sense of proportion and accessibility. Soft tannins give shape and set off the blackberry fruits.
Pairing: This versatile Bordeaux red pairs exceptionally well with a variety of dishes, particularly those featuring rich and savory flavors. The wine's structure and depth of flavor complement red meats such as beef, lamb, and venison, while its balanced acidity and fruit profile allow it to shine alongside roast chicken, duck, and game birds.
For a regional pairing, consider serving the 2018 L'Abeille de Fieuzal Pessac-Léognan Rouge with traditional Bordeaux dishes such as entrecôte bordelaise (rib steak with red wine and shallot sauce, see below for recipe), agneau de Pauillac (Pauillac lamb with herbs and garlic), or confit de canard (duck confit) to accentuate the wine's earthy and savory notes.
For vegetarian pairings, the wine's fruit and herbal notes make it a great match for dishes featuring earthy vegetables and legumes, such as grilled portobello mushrooms, lentil and mushroom stews, or vegetable tarts with caramelized onions and goat cheese. The wine's acidity and tannins also make it a suitable companion for rich, tomato-based pasta dishes like eggplant Parmesan or mushroom and spinach lasagna.
Rib Steak With Marrow and Red-Wine Sauce
By Pierre Franey
About. Chateau de Fieuzal has long been a favorite Bordeaux property for wine enthusiasts. With its perfect harmony of classic French winemaking, Bordeaux terroir, ageability, and modern winemaking technology, Fieuzal consistently produces superb wines at an unmatched price point. The 2018 L'Abeille de Fieuzal Pessac-Léognan Rouge is no exception, demonstrating the quality and elegance that the estate is renowned for.
A Historical Treasure:
Nestled in Graves, Bordeaux, Fieuzal sits on a gentle sloping gravel outcropping, lending its name to the thin, gravel-studded soils. With a history spanning over 500 years, this location has always been recognized as one of the best for grape-growing due to its excellent drainage provided by the stones in the soil. Remarkably, the property has only had six owners throughout its existence, with four of them in the last fifty years.
In 1995, Banque Popular reunited the property into its original 16th-century form and initiated a program of renovation and experimentation. Each parcel and grape variety of Fieuzal was vinified separately, allowing for total exploration and the creation of tailor-made wines. The Irish wine-loving couple Brenda and Lochlann Quinn purchased Fieuzal in 2001, continuing the tradition of investing in the property, and brought on Stephen Carrier as the winemaker and Hubert de Bouärd of Chateau Angelus as the consulting winemaker. This 20-year-long program has elevated Fieuzal to the pinnacle of Graves.
A Wine of Distinction:
The 2018 L'Abeille de Fieuzal Pessac-Léognan Rouge, the second and more forward-drinking wine of the estate, showcases the quality that Fieuzal has become known for. Elegant and powerful, the wine displays notes of roses, ripe strawberries, acacia blossom, sandalwood, and young blueberries on the nose. The body features a graphite and blackberry expression, creating a rich yet lifted experience that makes it incredibly easy to drink. This impeccable wine can be enjoyed now or cellared for at least a decade.
A Testament to Pessac-Léognan:
Pessac-Léognan, part of the Graves region and the cradle of Bordeaux winemaking, is known for its superior reds and whites. The unique terroir, characterized by arid sand and gravel over clay and limestone, is ideal for growing both red and white grape varieties. The best reds from the region display a combination of power and finesse, with inky blue and black fruit, mushroom, forest, tobacco, iodine, and a smooth, intriguing texture.
