2009 Chateau Cap De Faugeres

"The 2009 is possibly the best Cap de Faugeres yet made."
In the mid-eighties and early nineties, along with Fronsac, the Cotes de Castillon was a bargain appellation for new entrants to the wine game and the area saw its fair share of entrepreneurs. This sub-region is a natural extension of the Saint Emilion limestone ridge which was part of the appeal for cashed up, neo vignerons, with the added benefit of Pomerol-like heavy clays in parts. Swiss businessman and wine merchant Silvio Denz became part of a second wave of investors in the area when he acquired Cap de Faugeres (along with Faugeres and Peby Faugeres) from the Guisez family in 2005.

He bought a modernised, going concern with the most up to date cellars of the area (built by the same team behind the outstanding Pichon Longueville construction). Add the expertise of an existing team (led by consultant Michel Rolland who had been working on the property since 2000), and it is little surprise Cap de Faugeres’ profile has reached new heights in terms of quality and value. This wine is composed of 85% Merlot, the remainder being Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Opaque black crimson colour with deep dark crimson red hue. Perfumed cassis notes are followed by some liquorice, toasty cedar, subtle earth and spice. Rich and opulent the palate delivers flavours of cassis, liquorice, toasty cedar, some cigar box, earth and spice. Very fine grained almost velvet like tannin structure. Long cassis, liquorice, toasty cedar and spice aftertaste.
Cellar 4-5 years (2017-2018).
Alc 14.0%

Other Reviews….
The 2009 is possibly the best Cap de Faugeres yet made, a sleeper of the vintage, and a realistically priced one at that. A blend of 85% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon that hit 14% natural alcohol, the wine displays loads of charcoal, blackberry, espresso roast and white chocolate. It is full-bodied, unctuously textured, with very sweet tannin and stunning purity, texture and length. This is a super-duper wine, bottled unfined and unfiltered under the guidance of the consultant Michel Rolland. Drink it over the next 10+ years. Under new proprietor Silvio Denz, the wines from this property, as well as his Chateau Faugeres in St.-Emilion, have gotten better, even by the high standards maintained by the previous proprietor.
Score: 91
Robert Parker – Wine Advocate # 199 Feb 2012

The relatively new proprietor, Silvio Denz, has made his finest wine to date from this Cotes de Castillon property. A blend of 85% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon that came in at 14% natural alcohol, it is a full-bodied, super-concentrated effort displaying excellent purity as well as lots of minerality and floral notes imbedded in black and blue fruits. The oak is totally masked, the tannins are prominent but sweet, and the wine is fresh and precise. A sleeper of the vintage, this beauty should drink well for 10-12 years. (Tasted four times) Drink: 2010 – 2022
Score: 90-92
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate # 188 Apr 2010

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