Fonbel
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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.Inc. VAT£386.47 -
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.Inc. VAT£248.47 -
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.Inc. VAT£518.46 -
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.Inc. VAT£578.47 -
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.Inc. VAT£226.24 -
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.Inc. VAT£186.64 -
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%Inc. VAT£466.87 -
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%Inc. VAT£246.04
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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.In Bond£290.00 -
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.In Bond£175.00 -
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.In Bond£399.99 -
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.In Bond£450.00 -
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.In Bond£172.50 -
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.In Bond£139.50 -
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%In Bond£357.00 -
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%In Bond£189.00