2017 Peby Faugeres

Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Blood orange, vanilla and graphite on the nose. Bright, high acid, flirting with tart fruit. Awkward hard tannins are set against a floral, Parma violet sweetness. Powdery and lithe on the finish. (TP)

The 2017 Peby Faugères is a rich, textured Saint-Émilion. Inky blue and purplish fruit, menthol, lavender, spice, licorice and dried flowers infuse the 2017 with striking layers of nuance. As always, there is a ton of density and power but the 2017 is not quite as opulent as it can be, and that is not a bad thing. Raspberry jam, wild flowers, mint, blood orange and pomegranate build into the exotic, alluring finish. Tasted two times.

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Peby Faugeres leaps from the glass with vibrant scents of kirsch, Black Forest cake, blueberry preserves and red roses plus nuances of charcuterie and Ceylon tea. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is chock-full of crunchy black and blue fruit flavors, framed by plush tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing long and perfumed. Not the usual, hedonic Peby Faugeres—I do love this more elegant, refreshing style! It is composed of 100% Merlot and was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 65% new. 10,000 bottles were made, representing 70% grand vin. Best of all, the alcohol rocks up at 14.5%—over that pesky 14% USA trade tariff threshold!