Château Faugères 2011

The impressively endowed 2011 Faugeres is a big wine for the vintage, boasting an opaque ruby/purple color as well as notes of creosote, black currants, blueberries, coffee beans and toasty oak. This modern-styled, full-bodied, pure, textured, long St.-Emilion's zesty acidity gives freshness and vibrancy to this big wine. It tips the scales at 14% natural alcohol, and is a blend of 85% Merlot with the rest primarily Cabernet Franc and a tiny bit of Cabernet Sauvignon. It should evolve for 15-20 years. , ,One of the up-and-coming stars of St.-Emilion, Faugeres is owned by Swiss entrepreneur, Silvio Benz (also the owner of the Lalique crystal company). Score - 91-93. (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com)