| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This 16 hectare property in the South of Saint Emilion is owned by the Vauthier family of Ausone. The vineyard has an average age of 26 years. The pricing policy is always very reasonable.
In 2022 it is 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Carmenere. Maturation 30% in barrels, 70% in stainless steel tanks.
The 2022 de Fonbel is a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Carmenere and has a deep garnet-purple color. It flies out of the glass with energetic notes of crushed blackberries, boysenberries, and raspberry coulis, leading to suggestions of Indian spices, pencil shavings, and iron ore. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and opulent, delivering mouth-watering freshness contrasted with powerful, firm, rounded tannins, finishing very long and fruity. Impressive!
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.
The 2022 Château de Fonbel was picked from 15 to 28 September and matured in 30% barrel, the rest in stainless steel. It has a lifted nose with a subtle oyster shell tincture, vibrant with a sorbet-like freshness. The palate is medium-bodied with a lightly spiced entry, modest depth, vanilla and cinnamon infusing the black fruit with a nicely detailed finish. Give this just a couple of years in bottle.
Fleshy red fruits and a whiff of wood smoke on the nose here, this is juicy and enticing. This follows on the palate, which has lightly sandy, soft tannins and plush, rounded Merlot fruit. Juicy, with a touch of graphite and woody herbs, it is well made and approachable. It should be excellent value for money and drinkable fairly early in its life.
A juicy and flavorful red with lots of red fruits, currants, cloves and some nutmeg. It's full and layered with lots of fruit. 85% merlot, 10% cabernet sauvignon and 5% carmenere.
Black cherry, blueberry and cassis fruits on the opening beats, this is an intense Fonbel that leans into the vintage character but always stays on the right side of balance. A good quality wine with clear ageing ability, a little less immediately charming that in less highly charged vintages. Clay-sand soils with areas of gravel. Cellar master Philippe Baillarguet. 30% new oak. Harvest September 15 to 21, with the unusual addition of Carmanère in the blend.
85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Carmenère. Cask sample.
Deep crimson hue. Fragrant and fresh like Simard but a bit more grip and length on the finish. Just the right amount of mid-palate sweetness. Normally GV. (JL) 14%
Drink 2026– 2034
