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2013-CHÂTEAU-FONBEL-Grand-Cru-Saint-Emilion

CHÂTEAU FONBEL

2012 Grand Cru Saint Emilion

Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Sub-district Saint Emilion & Satellites
Village Saint Emilion
Classification Grand Cru
ABV 13%

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. Drinking range: 2017 - 2027 Rating: 91 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Jan 2016)


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A blend of 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Carmenère, picked between 5th and 16th October, the Fonbel has a candied, almost chocolate tinged bouquet that is nicely defined. The palate is medium-bodied – smooth and harmonious, and although there is not great depth here, is approachable, pure and offers fine tension on the finish. The oak is quite prudent (30%) and it should age well. Rating: 89-91 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2013)

A sleeper of the vintage, the dark ruby/purple-colored 2012 Fonbel offers up sweet aromas of mulberries, raspberries, forest floor and loamy soil. Medium-bodied with abundant fruit, glycerin and length, it should drink well for a decade. 2013 - 2023 Rating: 87-89 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Apr 2013)

Sandy soil with clay and gravel. 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 5% Carmenère. Much more Cabernet character on the nose, with the perfume of Petit Verdot. Fine and juicy and lots of easy pleasure without being over simple. Likely to be GV. 2016 - 2022. Rating: 16.5 Julia Harding MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2013)

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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