Why it matters
The producer
Old vine Merlot sits at the top of Château Faizeau's range. The Montagne-Saint-Émilion château makes Château Faizeau Sélection Vieilles Vignes as its grand vin, with Château Chants de Faizeau as the second wine. The estate works with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with Merlot taking the larger share of the planting.
The range is compact and clearly divided by bottle role. One wine carries the grand vin name and the Vieilles Vignes designation; the other carries its own name as the second wine. Château Faizeau is a red Bordeaux producer whose central grape is Merlot.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Montagne-Saint-Émilion is the appellation printed on Château Faizeau's label, within Bordeaux. The wine is red, and the appellation name sits alongside a grape composition led by Merlot with Cabernet Franc. The place line identifies the appellation, while the grape line tells what is in the bottle.
The appellation gives the wine its geographic category without requiring a broader regional label. Château Faizeau remains tied to one Bordeaux appellation and to a red wine style built around Merlot.
In the cellar
Vineyards and cellar
The estate encompasses 12 hectares. Planting is 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, making Merlot the central variety and Cabernet Franc the smaller component.
Merlot generally brings ripe fruit, body and a rounded palate, while Cabernet Franc can add herbal notes and firmer tannin. At Château Faizeau, the proportions place Merlot at the centre of the vineyard and keep Cabernet Franc in a supporting role.
Wines to know
The range in view
The range has a clear two wine hierarchy. Château Faizeau Sélection Vieilles Vignes is the grand vin and is made from 100% old vine Merlot. Château Chants de Faizeau is the second wine.
The two names separate the bottles by role. The grand vin carries the Vieilles Vignes designation and the old vine Merlot composition, while Château Chants de Faizeau occupies the second wine position. The 2022 vintage is a red wine from the Montagne-Saint-Émilion appellation.
A useful way in
A bottle to begin with
Choose Château Faizeau Sélection Vieilles Vignes. It is the grand vin, made from old vine Merlot and marked by the Vieilles Vignes designation.