2020 Château Péby Faugères Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé

The 2020 Château Péby Faugères Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé is a lavish, small-production Merlot from one of the appellation’s most coveted clay-limestone slopes. Crafted entirely from old vines and raised with meticulous care, it delivers the opulence and depth modern Bordeaux lovers seek, while remaining firmly rooted in classic right-bank terroir. With only around 9,000 bottles made and a striking sculpted bottle etched with René Lalique’s iconic blackbird motif, this is as much a collector’s piece as it is a fine wine. What sets Péby Faugères apart is its tiny 7.45-hectare vineyard of old Merlot vines, ultra-low yields (around 20 hl/ha) and a highly artisanal approach, including partial micro-vinification in small oak barrels and 18 months of élevage in 65% new French oak. Since the late 2000s, the estate has combined the visionary ownership of Silvio Denz with the expertise of Michel Rolland and Stephan von Neipperg, cementing its status as one of Saint-Émilion’s modern stars.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2020 Château Péby Faugères shows a deep, opaque garnet-purple hue, almost ink-like at the core with a vivid, youthful rim. The nose is intensely expressive and seductive, opening with waves of blueberry tart, plum pudding and chocolate-dipped cherries, layered with ripe mulberry and subtle black fruit compote. As it unfolds, more complex nuances emerge: hints of eucalyptus, cinnamon stick, clove, cigar smoke and fine cigar box, all wrapped in a refined, spicy oak frame. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, powerful and tightly knit wine, showcasing the richness that pure Merlot can achieve on great limestone-clay soils. The texture is dense yet polished, with firm, velvety tannins giving a muscular backbone to the concentrated dark fruit. Lively freshness lifts the richness, keeping the wine vibrant and preventing any heaviness. The finish is very long and persistent, echoing with mineral notes, dark berries, spice and a touch of graphite. Built for the long haul, this 2020 has excellent aging potential: it will benefit from 5–7 years in bottle and can easily evolve gracefully for 20+ years in a good cellar.

Production
Château Péby Faugères is drawn from a single, small Merlot vineyard of just 7.45 hectares, located on the southern extension of the Saint-Émilion plateau, adjacent to Château Faugères. The site is privileged: steep slopes of clay-limestone soils over a rocky subsoil, providing excellent drainage, natural concentration and a distinct mineral edge to the fruit. The vines average around 45 years of age, and yields are kept extremely low—around 20 hectoliters per hectare—to maximize intensity and terroir expression. Harvesting is carried out with great care, typically by hand, with rigorous selection of the berries. Vinification is highly artisanal, with a portion of the fermentation carried out in small oak barrels (micro-vinification), allowing parcel-by-parcel precision and gentle extraction of color, aroma and tannin. After fermentation, the wine ages for about 18 months in French oak, 65% of which is new, adding structure, complexity and a luxurious sheen without overpowering the fruit.

Food & Serving
The 2020 Château Péby Faugères is a natural partner for rich, flavorful dishes that can stand up to its concentration and structure. Think roasted or grilled lamb with herbs, slow-braised beef short ribs, venison or other game, truffle-infused dishes, or a classic entrecôte with reduction sauce. It also pairs beautifully with earthy sides such as mushroom ragout, gratins of root vegetables, or aged hard cheeses like Comté or aged Gouda. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to preserve freshness and balance the wine’s opulence. For current drinking, decanting is strongly recommended—at least 1–2 hours to allow the bouquet to unfurl and the tannins to soften; for bottles with some age, a shorter, gentle decant will suffice to remove sediment and open the aromatics.

Producer
Château Péby Faugères is a boutique gem within Saint-Émilion, created from what was once a part of the larger Faugères estate but elevated to its own Grand Cru Classé identity thanks to its exceptional Merlot parcel and ambitious vision. Since acquiring the property, owner Silvio Denz—renowned for his passion for both fine wine and the art of René Lalique—has reshaped the château into a modern icon. From the 2009 vintage onward, each bottle bears the engraved blackbird and grape motif designed by Lalique in 1928, a nod to the etymology of Merlot (“little blackbird”) and a symbol of the union between art and wine. With the technical guidance of Michel Rolland and Stephan von Neipperg, Péby Faugères has rapidly climbed into the top tier of right-bank estates, regularly earning high critical acclaim and recognition for its concentrated yet polished style, precise vineyard work and commitment to expressing one of Saint-Émilion’s finest terroirs through 100% Merlot.

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