Château de Fieuzal
Château de Fieuzal a Pessac-Léognan Cru Classé de Graves that is synonymous of finesse
The origins of the Château de Fieuzal go back to the 16th century. The property was created by the Fieuzal family on an old noble land of Pessac-Léognan and more specifically on the gravelly hilltop which had the name of Gardères. The property retained its name Fieuzal until 1851, when Lovely Fieuzal, the last descendant of the family gave the property to the Ricard family. This family already owns many properties such as Domaine de Chevalier and Château Malartic-Lagravière, bought the Château de Fieuzal. The Ricard family splintered the field into two wineries: Château de Fieuzal and Chateau Haut-Gardere.
A few years later the management of Fieuzal was entrusted to Ricard Odette and her husband Eric Bocké. They started two major operations and they implemented a policy of upgrading to a higher quality, which allowed the Château de Fieuzal to be elevated to Grand Cru Classé de Graves (red) in 1959. This was certainly a reward for decades of Bocké Eric and his wife O. Ricard work. Just to know, it was by the request of the owners that the property was classified only for its whites who estimated that at the time of production (quantity) the white wine was too small to be classified.
In 1973, following the death of his wife Bocké Eric decides to separate the property and sells it to George Négrevergne (pharmacist and owner laboratories Sarget) which entrusted the management of Fieuzal to his son-in-law Gerard Gribelin. It will continue the policy of upmarket started under E. Bocké renovating cellars, investing in technical tools but also in the vineyard by purchasing an additional 15 hectares.
In 1994, the Banque Populaire group marched purchaser Château de Fieuzal it unites again at Château Haut-Gardère in 1995 when it was acquired.
In 2001, Brenda & Lochiann Quinn, two Irish lovers of French wines having made their fortune in the radiator industry, bought the property and entrusted the management Stephen Carrier, former winemaker and technical director of Boyer vineyards (Bordeaux, Loupiac , Graves), Château Lynch-Bages (Pauillac), Château Ormes de Pez (St Estèphe) or Newton Vineyard (Napa Valley). This acquisition was not done in an objective investment but more a “passion for wine, for the vineyards of Bordeaux and especially a passion for the Fieuzal.” They undertook in 2010 a major restoration of buildings, technical tools, cellars and vineyards (completion in 2011).
“The cellar has tanks with concrete, wood and steel to have the choice each year to use the material that is best suited for the vintage. It’s like in the kitchen must be able to adapt to the basic ingredients to optimize depending on the vintage. Here we also work by gravity to preserve the aromas of fruit, the rush as possible. “(Annabelle Denis, Communication and Marketing Manager of Château de Fieuzal)
Today the estate covers 80 hectares and annually confirms its status as a safe value of Pessac-Léognan. It is still managed by Stéphen Carrier in collaboration with the consulting firm of Hubert de Boüard.
Where did the Bee (in french « l’Abeille ») of the Château de Fieuzal come from ?
The bee, iconic logo on this property capsules and labels of Fieuzal wines is appeared when the family of De La Rochefoucauld owned the Château de Fieuzal. This family, close to Napoleon Bonaparte at the time wished to honor him, give him their support by signing on the wines of the property the Bee which was the emblem of the Emperor Bonaparte. The bee is appreciated for its qualities. It is hardworking, orderly and actively participates in the natural distribution of plant species. “It is a symbol of the respect of ecological principles, of work and of rigor.”
What allows us to recognize your wines in a blind tasting ?
Vidéo Fr & En
“Each vintage is different for red wines and for white wines but in the white we can always taste the minerality, this balance between roundness of the Sauvignon and freshness of the Semillon, always with a taste of acacia honey. For the reds we recognize especially with their finesse, a slightly spicy flavor and hints of pepper. The fruit is always dominant, very present.“(Denis Annabelle)
For my part I would say that what characterizes the red wines of Château de Fieuzal is “balance”. These wines are concentrated, but not too much (well balanced, not over-concentration), fine, balanced on the palate, with a nice respect for the fruit, harmony, finesse and minerality. We regularly find small hints of pepper.
About white wines I would say that it is mainly the structure, slightly silky texture, fineness, its terroir and of course the presence of Semillon which characterizes the white wines of the property. Commonly found an attack on citrus and notes of acacia.
Side anecdote:
Visiting the property and more specifically the « cuvier » (tanks cellar) you will discover that each tank has a name. In fact the owners as grandparents ‘fans’ of their grandchildren wanted to give each vessel the name of one of them.
Thanks to Annabelle Denis for her warm welcome.
Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche
Château de Fieuzal
33850 Léognan
