Decanter (94)

Intensely perfumed on the nose, so expressive and aromatic with dark chocolate and blackcurrant liqueur aspects. Juicy, fresh, playful, lifted and upfront - this has a lot going on. It's lightly framed with a lifted nature on the palate, the flavours all vertical and expansive but not heavy. It's a delicate style in terms of structure but the flavours are persistent and really fill the mouth with a brightness as well as minty, chocolate, liquorice fresh tannins. I love this one - a real success of the vintage. Usually 70-75% Merlot, so this is a new Fleur Cardinale, the' kind of blend we'd like to have in the future' says Ludovic and Caroline Decoster, with increased plantings of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon taking place at the estate. Consultants Jean Philippe Fort - Michel Rolland Laboratoire. First year of conversion to organic, 2021 saw a loss of 50% production - 20% to frost and 30% to mildew. A fine effort.

The Fleur Morange Mathilde 2018 is a singularity in the realm of Saint-Émilion grand crus. This magnificent wine is a testament to the expert craftsmanship of its creators, Véronique and Jean-François Despagne. Cultivated from 100-year-old Merlot vines on a solitary hectare of limestone and clay soil, it captures the essence of one of the most revered wine appellations in Bordeaux.

The 2018 vintage proffers a fine balance of freshness and power, expressing a bouquet of ripe blackberries, black currants, and underlying earthy notes. This full-bodied wine, matured for 18 months in new oak, offers a lusciously dense palate, with a prolonged finish portraying the elegance and complexity of its terroir.

Fleur Morange Mathilde 2018's remarkable quality and charm resoundingly affirm the Despagne estate's commitment to preserving and propagating Saint-Émilion’s distinguished wine heritage. It's a captivating addition for any wine lover's collection.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (88)

(merlot with 14% cabernet franc and 9% cabernet sauvignon) Bright red-ruby. Smoky redcurrant, plum and tobacco leaf on the expressive nose and palate. Pliant, supple and inviting, with a fine-grained texture to the flavors of dark plum, iron, coffee and tobacco leaf. Slightly herbal but nicely ripe and flavorful St. Emilion, finishing with good breadth and a lingering suggestion of roasted earth.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (92)

Good deep bright ruby to the rim. Crushed blackberry, bitter chocolate, smoky oak, minerals and a whiff of tar on the nose. Fat and sweet on entry, then lush and concentrated in the middle, with generous flavors of dark berries and black cherry. Impressively broad, chewy wine with a mounting finish featuring fine-grained tannins and excellent length. I'd hold this for five years before pulling the cork.

James Suckling (90-91)

Very sexy tannins here with blueberry and mineral character on the palate. Full body and refined finish. Well done.

The Wine Cellar Insider (92)

Packed with licorice, black cherry, cocoa, coffee bean and lush textures, this round, fat, forward styled wine delivers a fleshy, chocolate covered black cherry finish. 90-92 Pts

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (88-91)

The 2013 Fombrauge shows lovely up-front immediacy in its sweet red fruit. Today, the flavors are quite floral and spiced, with good depth for the year and solid overall balance. Darker notes of game and tar develop in the glass. It will be interesting to see if elevage softens some of the slightly angular contours that are present today. Still, this is a strong showing. Tasted twice.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

The 2014 Fombrauge is dark, sensual and inviting. Plum, black cherry, smoke, tobacco and cedar are some of the many notes that flesh out in the glass. Sumptuous and racy, the 2014 exudes finesse and nuance, but with plenty of the Magrez signature richness. Stylistically, the Fombrauge is a bit more finessed than the Magrez-Fombrauge, which is not a bad thing, as these wines are born with so much natural richness. Tasted three times.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2016 Fombrauge has come together beautifully during its aging and is now a much more refined wine than it was from barrel. Sweet red berry fruit, mocha, espresso, mint and floral notes all grace this exquisite, mid-weight Saint-Émilion. The 2016 is simply impeccable, not to mention incredibly delicious. There is not much more to it than that. Tasted two times.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2019 Fombrauge is one of the best wines I have tasted from this property in some time. It shows all the richness that is typical of Bernard Magrez's style but with less heaviness and a good deal of aromatic presence that helps balance things out. Sweet dark cherry, chocolate, leather, licorice and mocha build into the resonant, super-expressive finish. The 2019 is a classy Fombrauge.

Jeb Dunnuck (93-95)

The inky-hued 2020 Château Fombrauge is another wonderful Saint-Emilion that shines on all accounts. Possessing terrific purity in its cassis-styled fruits as well as notes of violets, chocolate, and chalky minerality, this puppy is medium to full-bodied, has a great mid-palate, background oak, and outstanding length. Tasted twice.

James Suckling (92-93)

Perfumed and fresh with flowers, such as lavender and violets. Medium-bodied with fine tannins that are layered and refined in texture.

James Suckling (94-95)

This has a creamy texture with round tannins, very attractive ripe fruit and a juicy finish of blackberry and chocolate. Medium to full body. More balanced than 2022?

James Suckling (91)

Intense aromas of blueberries and raspberries, with hints of citrus. Full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a fruity finish. Refined and firm. Best in 2018.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (89)

(a blend of 63% merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon,10% petit verdot and 7% carmenère): Fully saturated inky purple. Coffee, cocoa and cassis on the nose, along with a musky note that I attribute to the carmenère. Then ample and sweet in the mouth, with syrupy blackberry and vanilla flavors that linger on the tangy, rather light finish.

Wine Advocate (92)

This property is owned and managed by the Vauthier family of Château Ausone. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Fonbel—composed mainly of Merlot with splashes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère and Petit Verdot—is scented of warm black plums, blackberry preserves, tar and bay leaves with touches of scorched earth and chargrill. Medium to full-bodied with very fine, silky tannins and amazing freshness, the palate offers stacks of red and black fruits, going minerally on the long finish.

Wine Advocate (91)

Composed of 70% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 7% Carménère, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Fonbel has a classic nose of warm red plums, cigar box and black plums with nuances of redcurrants, Sichuan pepper and tar. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers a lot of mid-palate fruit with lovely plush tannins and a long refreshing finish.

Jeb Dunnuck (92-94)

A blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Carménère, the 2018 Château De Fonbel is a juicy, medium to full-bodied, elegant Saint-Émilion that has seriously good notes of black cherries, black raspberries, violets, and spice. It shows the ripe, sexy style of the vintage, but its purity of fruit and polished tannins set it apart. This is a beautiful wine and my money is on it being a best to date.

Vinous - Neal Martin (90)

The 2019 Château de Fonbel has an attractive bouquet of raspberry, briary and light minty scents with just a touch of freshly rolled tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied, quite cohesive and fleshy, delivering tobacco-tinged red fruit, moderate weight and a gentle grip toward the finish, which is lent a little sharpness by the 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Jancis Robinson (16)

65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 7% Carmenère. 26 hl/ha (half the normal production). Cask sample. Juicy and fruit-driven with considerable freshness. Red- and dark-fruit notes. Touch more concentration due to yield. Light but finely etched tannins. Simple but pleasing. (JL) 14%

Jancis Robinson (16)

65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 7% Carmenère. 26 hl/ha (half the normal production). Cask sample. Juicy and fruit-driven with considerable freshness. Red- and dark-fruit notes. Touch more concentration due to yield. Light but finely etched tannins. Simple but pleasing. (JL) 14%

James Suckling (92-93)

Very pretty with pure cassis and sliced orange character. Medium body, fine tannins and a polished finish. Balanced and fresh. Some stone and salty undertones. 64% merlot, 28% cabernet sauvignon and 8% carmenere.

The Fonplegade 2013 encapsulates the very essence of Saint Émilion, a heralded wine region in Bordeaux, France. Grown in vineyards with limestone and clay soils, this vintage boasts a harmonious blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes. Its creator, Fonplegade, leverages an organic viticulture approach that accentuates the wine's character and provenance.

Rich with sensuous layers of ripe blackcurrants, figs, and savoury spices, Fonplegade 2013 has a gorgeous depth that heightens with decanting. This full-bodied, complex wine is beautifully rounded off with plum notes and cocoa undertones, exhibiting an exquisite balance of power and finesse.

Matures in French oak barrels for supreme texture and flavour, this vintage Flemingate 2013 delivers a long and unerringly pure finish. Regarded as one of the most refined offerings from Fonplegade, this wine offers a unique glimpse into the prestigious terroir of Saint Émilion.

Wine Advocate (96+)

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Fonplegade opens with a very savory nose of smoked meats, tapenade, sautéed herbs and beef drippings over a core of plum preserves, chocolate-covered cherries and cedar chest plus wafts of violets and cigars. Medium to full-bodied, the palate possesses both intensity and elegance, with the black fruit layers superbly framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing long and mineral laced.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2017 Fonplégade is classy, polished and simply impeccable in its balance. The Fonplégade is not a huge wine, but it has really gained in finesse over the course of its aging. Sweet red cherry, pomegranate, blood orange, mint and cinnamon add character to this racy, silky, exceptionally polished Saint-Émilion. Floral overtones add brightness to the finish.

Wine Advocate (93-95)

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Fonplegade strides confidently out of the glass with bold black cherries, warm plums and black raspberry scents plus hints of cedar chest, pencil shavings, lavender, garrigue and camphor. Full-bodied, rich and packed with expressive black fruits, it has a firm, velvety texture and just enough freshness, finishing long.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95)

The 2019 Fonplégade is elegant, refined and full of character. Sweet dark cherry, chocolate, leather, spice, menthol and licorice build effortlessly in the glass. Fonplégade is a Saint-Émilion that emphasizes elegance over sheer power.

The Wine Cellar Insider (94-96)

Crushed rocks, currants, cherries, flowers, licorice, smoke, cocoa and espresso covers all the bases in the perfume. Elegant and edgy, silky, soft and mineral driven, the fruits show a beautiful purity, freshness and refinement on the palate, leaving you with salty tannins and sweet plums that continue to linger and expand in the finish. The wine is made from a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93-95)

The 2021 Fonplégade is classy and refined to the core. It possesses terrific depth, with sweet floral aromatics and fine-grained tannins that convey finesse. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice and bright saline notes all meld together. Fonplégade is built more on vertical persistence than volume. It is one of the most elegant Saint-Émilions of the vintage and a terrific effort from proprietors Denise and Stephen Adams. Tasted three times.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (85-87)

The 2013 Fonroque comes across as a bit compact, with limited depth and complexity. Sweet red berries, hard candy, flowers and tobacco take shape nicely in the glass, but the mid-palate never really blossoms, which allows the oak tannin to dominate.