2020 de Fieuzal Rouge (Pessac-Leognan)

The 2020 Château de Fieuzal is a little muted on the nose. I left my sample aside for 10–15 minutes, but there still is not much to write home about. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannins on the entry, earthy black fruit laced with bell pepper and earthy notes and more tobacco toward the finish. I was hoping to find a de Fieuzal that had regained its mojo, but this does not convince me at the moment. Tasted from two bottles, one ex-château and the other via the UGC, with consistent notes. 85-87 points

Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 de Fieuzal sashays out of the glass with scents of black cherry compote, blackcurrant pastilles and baked plums, plus hints of violets, dark chocolate, powdered cinnamon and dried mint. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock-full of juicy black fruits, framed by wonderfully velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on an uplifting mineral note. 92-94 points

Deep crimson with a pale rim. Just a little skinny on the nose. And decidedlly so on the palate. This doesn`t seem fully ripe with green fruit flavours and it has drying sandpaper tannins on the end. 15.5 points