2020 CHÂTEAU FONBEL Grand Cru Saint Emilion, Lea & Sandeman

CHÂTEAU FONBEL

2023 Grand Cru Saint Emilion

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

64% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Carmenère. Deeper and more structured than Simard (from the same portfolio), this is an expressive Fonbel that builds on the success of last year’s more expressive wine. It has a cooler, more penetrative style, superbly controlled oak, and a long, savoury finish. Once again, the tannins have been handled brilliantly here. This is a very assured wine, one that will open nicely over five years and hold itself well for a further ten and to that end, it gained its highest score from me to date. 17.5/20 Rating: 17.5+ Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (May 2024)


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


Intense redcurrant, blueberry and blackberry fruit, good vivacity and crunch, with tannins that have austerity but enough juice running through them to ensure balance. This is higher Merlot in the blend than Château Simard from the same range, but the character of the fruit is darker and more textured. Enjoyable. Drinking range: 2027 - 2036 Rating: 92 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

The 2023 de Fonbel is an exotic wine, perhaps because of its varietal blend of 64% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Carménère. Rose petal, mint, lavender and dried herbs open in the bouquet. I find the tannins a bit severe on the finish, but perhaps élevage will take care of some of that. Drinking range: 2028 - 2043 Rating: 90-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

A slightly reduced, elegant bouquet of iris, gentian, licorice and spices intermixed with exuberant notes of violet preface the 2023 Fonbel, a medium to full-bodied, elegant and tense wine with a juicy core of fruit and a long, ethereal finish characterized by vertical energy. This is a blend of 64% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Carmenère. It’s a great bottle in the making. Drinking range: 2025 - 2035 Rating: 89-91 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)

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

2000 CHÂTEAU BEAUSÉJOUR BÉCOT 1er Grand Cru Classé Saint Emilion Château Beau-Séjour Bécot

2000 CHÂTEAU BEAUSÉJOUR BÉCOT 1er Grand Cru Classé Saint Emilion Château Beau-Séjour Bécot

Bordeaux France  13%  Red
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc. Imperial

Showing beautifully, the 2000 Château Beau-Sejour Bécot is fully in its prime drink window and offers brilliant aromatics of red and black fruits, cedar pencil, tobacco leaf, truffle, and licorice. Full-bodi...(read more)

Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com
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