Château de Fonbel, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2022

Name: Château de Fonbel, St Emilion Grand Cru
Brand: Château de Fonbel
Price: 130.33 GBP

Available Vintages

all 2019 2020 2022

justerini & brooks tasting note

This 16 hectare estate on the St Emilion plain has a sandy, gravelly terroir, but despite the humble situation, Fonbel produces some sensational wines - hardly surprising given that this estate is managed by the father and daughter team of Alain and Pauline Vauthier. Produced from 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Carmenère, the 2022 offers an attractive bouquet of wild berries and fragrant dark fruits. The palate is packed with vivid, bright blackcurrant, hedgerow fruits and a hint of liquorice. Nicely judged tannins. Fresh and breezy. Very good.

critic reviews

91/100Chris Kissack,The Wine Independent

This is a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Carmenère, from vines low down on the St Emilion plain. The élevage was in vats and 30% used oak barrels. Toasted redcurrants and a little vanilla ice on the nose, with a touch of rosehip and leather, but it is the fresh toasty fruit which rules. Like its stablemate Simard this charms with a silky presence, supple and easy-going, with a light ribbon of tannins wrapped around it, showing just a touch of sappy bite at the finish. This will be drinking within a few years of release. The alcohol is said to be about 14%.

DRINKING WINDOW 2027 - 2047

date of review 06/2025

91/100Jane Anson,Inside Bordeaux

There is so much St Emilion to love here, morello cherry, incense, white pepper, gunsmoke and crayon, no need to wait. Philippe Baillarguet winemaker. 30% new oak. One point upscore from En Primeur, last year of organic conversion.

DRINKING WINDOW 2026 - 2036

date of review 03/2025

90/100Neal Martin,Vinous

The 2022 Château de Fonbel has that sorbet-like freshness and vitality than I remarked upon from barrel, featuring light blueberry and cassis scents and a touch of violet coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth texture, graphite-tinged black fruit tones and a hint of dark chocolate. This is quite opulent on the finish but not overpowering or blowsy. Give this two or three years in bottle and it will become a quite delicious Saint-Émilion.

DRINKING WINDOW 2027 - 2042

date of review 02/2025

89-91/100William Kelley,Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Exhibiting aromas of plums, raspberries and cherries along with an attractive top note of violets, the 2022 Fonbel is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and taut, with youthfully chewy tannins and a long, penetrating finish.

date of review 04/2023