Dominik Mueller

Wine is my hobby. Fine wine tasting notes and experiences.

2002 Château de Fieuzal

Description

Assemblage of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Although I don't know the exact composition of this vintage, they usually had 60-70% Cabernet Sauvignon in their cuvées during those years, followed by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and sometimes Petit Verdot.* Élevage in French oak barrels for an average of twelve months.

*There has been a change in winemaking from 2017 onwards, so you might find the assemblage to be more balanced between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in more recent Fieuzal rouges.

Tasting notes on this wine

  • Tasted by Dominik Müller on 30 Jun 2024: DM14

The 2002 vintage in Bordeaux

Good vintage in Bordeaux, although not excellent. Mild winter, followed by a wet spring. Flowering was uneven and ripening was slow throughout the summer months. It was not until September that temperatures got warm enough to help the grapes ripen. As a result, strict selection was necessary to avoid green and unripe wines. Harvesting began in late September and lasted into October. The good producers fared well, especially if they took a slow approach to harvesting. As Cabernet Sauvignon performed better than Merlot in this vintage, the wines from the left bank seem to be better on average than those from the right bank.

Wine details

Vintage:
2002

Good vintage in Bordeaux, although not excellent. Mild winter, followed by a wet spring. Flowering was uneven and ripening was slow throughout the summer months. It was not until September that temperatures got warm enough to help the grapes ripen. As a result, strict selection was necessary to avoid green and unripe wines. Harvesting began in late September and lasted into October. The good producers fared well, especially if they took a slow approach to harvesting. As Cabernet Sauvignon performed better than Merlot in this vintage, the wines from the left bank seem to be better on average than those from the right bank.

Colour:red
Style:still (dry)
Assemblage:yes
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
For assemblages, the main grape variety is shown.
Producer:Château de Fieuzal
Country:France
Region:Bordeaux
Subregion:Graves
Appellation:
Pessac-Léognan AOC

Left bank appellation in Bordeaux forming the northern part of Graves ("Haut-Graves"). Prior to getting its own AOC in 1987, Pessac-Léognan belonged to the broader Graves AOC. The highest-rated Graves châteaux all lie in the Pessac-Léognan AOC. Gravel soils. About 1,750 hectares under vines with three quarters red wine. Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for reds, plus Cabernet Franc and Malbec ("Côt"); Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon for whites. Generally fuller-bodied reds compared to the right bank. The age-worthy dry whites are typically fermented in oak barrel.

Vineyard: n/a
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