Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91)

Graphite, dark blue/black fruit, smoke and spices meld together in the 2012 de Fonbel. Beams of supporting minerality and tannin give the 2012 much of its energy and sense of direction. This is a very pretty, impeccably balanced wine from the Vauthier family. The blend is 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Carmenère. Drink this attractive Saint-Emilion over the next decade or so.

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.

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%

Jeb Dunnuck (94)

The 2022 Château De Fonbel is more rounded and layered, with beautiful cassis and black cherry fruits intermixed with chocolaty herbs, graphite, and crushed stone. This ripe, textured, medium to full-bodied 2022 has beautiful tannins and outstanding length. I like it today, and it should have 10-12 years, if not slightly longer, of prime drinking.

Jeb Dunnuck (94)

The 2022 Château De Fonbel is more rounded and layered, with beautiful cassis and black cherry fruits intermixed with chocolaty herbs, graphite, and crushed stone. This ripe, textured, medium to full-bodied 2022 has beautiful tannins and outstanding length. I like it today, and it should have 10-12 years, if not slightly longer, of prime drinking.

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 Chateau de Fosse-Seche Panthalassa VdF 2020 is an exemplar of the exceptional French viticulture. Tucked away in the Loire Valley region, the eco-conscious Chateau de Fosse-Seche is renowned for its time-honoured biodynamic practices. This Panthalassa vintage was masterfully crafted by outclassing various grape varieties including the rare Côt, Gamay, and Grolleau grapes grown in the estate's vineyards.

Revealing deep, saturated hues of garnet, this wine mirrors the richness of its terroir, with tasting notes redolent of ripe black fruits subtly underscored by earthy undertones. Expect an effusion of sharp, edgy tannins that soften exquisitely into a smooth and lengthy finish.

The Chateau de Fosse-Seche Panthalassa VdF 2020 is an audacious expression of complexity and elegance in a bottle. This wine is a testament to the harmonious marriage of traditional winemaking techniques with modern, sustainable viticulture.

In French oenological prominence, the Chateau de La Chaize Brouilly Vers Les Pins 2020's standing is irrefutable. Deriving from the most prestigious region of Brouilly, harvested with precision from the generous slopes of Mont Brouilly. This 34-hectare vineyard offers a unique vision of the famous Beaujolais Crus. The illustrious producer, Château de La Chaize, is dedicated to sustainable viticulture, showcasing the terroir's complex, multifaceted expressions with finesse.

The carefully selected gamay grapes are blended with exemplary skill. The wine is then aged in oak, tempering the vibrant fruit character of this medium-bodied, intensely aromatic red. Vers Les Pins 2020 delivers a rich tapestry of raspberry and cherry notes, harmonised with subtle hints of spice, supported by smooth, well-integrated tannins.

With a lush mouthfeel and a lingering finish, the Chateau de La Chaize Brouilly Vers Les Pins 2020 cements its place as a testimony to the versatility and irresistible elegance of Beaujolais wines.