Lea & Sandeman Wine Merchants

CHÂTEAU FONBEL

2016 Grand Cru Saint Emilion

Grapes Carmenère, Petit Verdot, Cab Sauv, Merlot
Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Sub-district Saint Emilion & Satellites
Village Saint Emilion
Classification Grand Cru
ABV 13.5%

70% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 7% Carmenère. We wrote when we tasted this in 2017 'should make a good bottle in four or five years' and indeed it has - lovely involving nose of soft ripe dark plum and cherry fruit, it has good volume and a fullish texture while remaining classical in its Saint Emilion feel. Drinking range: 2021 - 2025 L&S (Apr 2017)


Alternatively, we may well have some bottles in one of our shops - why not give us a call on 0207 244 0522 or send an email to: sales@leaandsandeman.co.uk.

Or, check the RELATED PRODUCTS below for different vintages or wines of a similar style.


The 2016 Château de Fonbel from the team at Ausone is a brilliant Saint-Emilion in 2016. Tons of black raspberry and cassis fruits, notes of spice, and dried flowers, medium body, and a balanced, elegant texture all make for beautiful wine. It has the purity of elegance of the vintage front and center, and while it’s already hard to resist, it’s got 15 years of prime drinking ahead of it. Drinking range: 2019 - 2034 Rating: 92 Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com (Feb 2019)

The 2016 de Fonbel is a soft, fruity wine to drink now and over the next few years. Sweet red cherry and plum fruit is nicely pushed forward in this succulent, easygoing Saint-Émilion from the Vauthier family. Drinking range: 2018 - 2024 Rating: 89 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Jan 2019)

The 2016 de Fonbel, ostensibly the entry label to the Vauthier portfolio, has an attractive bouquet of blackberry and briar aromas that develop a light estuarine scent with time. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannin, black fruit and a saline note toward the finish. Enjoy over the next six to eight years. Drinking range: 2020 - 2026 Rating: 88 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Jan 2019)

Château Fonbel

Amongst the best value wines in St Emilion is Château Fonbel. It is owned by Alain Vautier, owner of near-by Château Moulin Saint Georges and Château Ausone. The 16ha of vineyard are planted with a slightly atypical mix – there is 70% Merlot, nothing unusual for St Emilion; 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, very high for St Emilion; 7% Petit Verdot, possibly the highest percentage in St Emilion; and 3% Carmenère, possibly the highest percentage in Bordeaux.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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RELATED PRODUCTS

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