Château Faugères
Haut Faugeres Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France
2020
Vintage
Varietal
Bordeaux Blend
ABV
14.5%
Where it is, June 2026
Approaching Peak: drinkable, but best years are ahead.
In May 2026, the 2020 Haut Faugeres is well within its drinking window, which opened in 2024, and is showing exactly the plush, accessible character that makes Right Bank 2020s so compelling right now. The tannins are supple and integrated, the fruit is ripe and expressive, and the wine's velvet texture makes it genuinely enjoyable without the extended aging that more serious Saint-Emilion Grand Crus demand. This is a wine to drink over the next two to five years for maximum pleasure, reaching its best between 2027 and 2035 before beginning a slow decline. There is no urgency, but equally no need to wait.
The ‘20 Haut Faugeres Saint-Émilion Grand Cru.
A plush, generously fruited Right Bank Bordeaux from an outstanding vintage, ready to drink and built for near-term pleasure.
Drinking window
Tasting note
Chateau Faugeres's Haut Faugeres Saint-Emilion Grand Cru is the second wine of one of the Right Bank's most respected estates, offering a window into the house style at an earlier drinking stage. The 2020 presents a deeply colored, ripe and generous nose that immediately signals the quality of the vintage and the estate. Blueberry and blackberry lead on the bouquet, vivid and lush, framed by a floral perfume reminiscent of violet and dried lavender. Full body arrives on the palate with velvet tannins that are already remarkably polished for a wine still in its early life. Crisp acidity provides lift and structure beneath the plush fruit weight, preventing any feeling of heaviness. Ripe tobacco, dark chocolate, and a solid core of dark berry fruit carry through the long, caressing finish. The wine evolves beautifully in the glass over the course of a dinner, moving from fruit-forward and direct in youth to a more layered and complex expression as it opens up. This is an immensely satisfying Right Bank Bordeaux made in a warm vintage that gave the fruit exceptional concentration and accessibility. Perfumed, plush, and immediately rewarding, Haut Faugeres is an outstanding entry into the Faugeres estate universe.
The 2020 vintage
The 2020 vintage in Saint-Emilion and across Bordeaux was an outstanding year, combining the warmth necessary for full phenolic ripeness with excellent retention of freshness and acidity. The growing season was marked by a warm, dry summer and a well-timed rain event in August that relieved drought stress and allowed the vines to complete ripening in good health. Merlot, the dominant variety on the Right Bank, achieved exceptional ripeness in 2020 without losing structure, producing wines of deep color, plush tannins, and generous fruit concentration. Critics widely placed 2020 among the finest recent Bordeaux vintages, particularly for right-bank expressions.
About Château Faugères
Chateau Faugeres is a family-owned estate in Saint-Etienne-de-Lisse, one of the limestone plateau sub-zones of Saint-Emilion. The estate is known for combining traditional Bordeaux viticulture with a modern commitment to quality at every level of production. The grand vin, Chateau Faugeres, consistently earns critical acclaim, and Haut Faugeres serves as an approachable and high-quality introduction to the estate's style. The estate's characteristic fruit purity, combined with well-managed oak aging, produces wines that drink beautifully in the medium term while offering genuine cellar appeal.
From the cellar: pair with
Roast leg of lamb with garlic and thyme
The wine's plush tannins and dark fruit profile are a classic match for roasted lamb, one of Bordeaux's most time-honored pairings.
Beef bourguignon with mushrooms and pearl onions
The rich, slow-cooked stew complements the wine's chocolate and berry depth, while the mushrooms draw out the wine's earthy undertones.
Aged Mimolette with charcuterie and whole grain mustard
The wine's tobacco and dark fruit notes find a satisfying echo in aged French cheese and cured meats.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 16-17C / 61-63F
- Decanting
- Decant thirty to forty-five minutes before serving. The wine's fruit and tannin structure are already well integrated and open quickly with minimal air exposure.
- Cellar Storage
- 12-14C / 54-57F
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
More from Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France
Frequently Asked
What is the relationship between Haut Faugeres and Chateau Faugeres?
Haut Faugeres is the second wine of Chateau Faugeres, produced from younger vines and parcels not selected for the grand vin. It shares the estate's character and quality philosophy at a more accessible price and earlier drinking stage.
Is 2020 a good vintage for Saint-Emilion?
Yes, 2020 is widely considered one of the finest recent vintages for the Right Bank. The wines combine exceptional ripeness with good freshness and are particularly generous and accessible in youth.
How long can I cellar this wine?
The wine will drink well through 2035, with the peak window running from 2027 to 2035. There is no compelling reason to age it beyond that.
What grapes are used in Haut Faugeres?
As a Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, the blend is dominated by Merlot with supporting Cabernet Franc, reflecting the Right Bank Bordeaux tradition.