Château de Fonbel, St Emilion Grand Cru
    Château de Fonbel

    Château de Fonbel, St Emilion Grand Cru,

    Destination

    vintage

    Château de Fonbel, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2018

    Justerini & Brooks Tasting note
    Château de Fonbel, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2018

    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 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Carmenère, the 2018 is simple but full of heady kirsch and wild cherry notes. The perfumed fruit continues on the palate - dark and juicy, with a more polished tannic profile than normal. Should be good value.

    Maturity:
    Keep
    ABV:
    14%
    92/100
    Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent
    A blend of 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Carmenere, the 2020 de Fonbel is deep garnet-purple in color. It comes bounding out with notions of boysenberries, stewed plums, and fresh blueberries, plus suggestions of pencil shavings, lavender, and tilled soil. The medium-bodied palate is vibrant and expressive, with very soft tannins and a lively backbone, finishing with lots of energy.
    Date Reviewed:
    03/2023
    Drinking Window:
    2024 - 2040
    89/100
    Neal Martin, Vinous
    The 2020 Château de Fonbel has a pretty, if light and approachable, bouquet with brambly red fruit intermixed with blackcurrant and soft floral touches. It doesn't want to make too much of a fuss. The palate is medium-bodied with gritty tannins on the entry, a little compact at the moment yet fresh with fine salinity on the finish. Enjoy over the following decade.
    Date Reviewed:
    02/2023
    Drinking Window:
    2024 - 2034

    specifications

    country:
    France
    region:
    Bordeaux
    Appellation:
    St Emilion
    Producer:
    Château de Fonbel
    style:
    Red
    Grape Variety:
    Merlot Cabernet
    Allergen Information:
    This product may contain sulphites. Full allergen information is available upon request, please call our Customer Relations Team on +44 (0)20 7484 6430.

    Bordeaux

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    Château de Fonbel

    Château de Fonbel

    This property lies below Ausone and Moulin St Georges and belongs to the same owner, Alain Vauthier. Despite very reasonable pricing, it benefits hugely from the attentions of Mr Vauthier, regarded by some as the finest winemaker in St Emiliion, and represents quite simply some of the best-value St Emilion available today.

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