CHÂTEAU FONBEL
2025 Grand Cru Saint Emilion
| Grapes | Carmenère, Cab Sauv, Petit Verdot, Merlot |
| Colour | Red |
| Origin | France, Bordeaux |
| Sub-district | Saint Emilion & Satellites |
| Village | Saint Emilion |
| Classification | Grand Cru |
| ABV | 13% |
An attractive red with aromas of sliced strawberries and cherries with a hint of herbs, perhaps from the carmenere. Medium-bodied with firm and silky tannins. Hints of minerals and crushed stones and a crisp finish. Nice bitter lemon undertone in the finish. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2026)
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Or, check the RELATED PRODUCTS below for different vintages or wines of a similar style.
The 2025 De Fonbel is deep, fleshy and super expressive. The Cabernets play an important role in this year's blend. That comes through in the wine's aromatic profile and structural feel. There's a lot to like. Drinking range: 2030 - 2040 Rating: 90-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)
This is very delicious - a buy! Cool blue fruit with soft liquorice and flint aromas on the nose. Clean and juicy, this is fresh and focused with a red fruit and slightly savoury peppery spiced aspect from the 5% Carmenere in the blend. Floral, fresh but soft and almost creamy too - a nice combination of fruit and acidity giving a round but comforting mouthfeel. Charming, easy to approach with harmony, still lively with a kick on the finish but settled and balanced. A touch of enjoyable chalkiness lingers. Ageing no new oak, 30% one-year-old barrels. 3.7pH. Rating: 93 Georgie Hindle - Decanter (Apr 2026)
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.
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RELATED PRODUCTS
2000 CHÂTEAU BEAUSÉJOUR BÉCOT 1er Grand Cru Classé Saint Emilion Château Beau-Séjour Bécot
Bordeaux France 13% Red
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot. 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
2021 CHÂTEAU BERLIQUET Grand Cru Classé Saint Emilion
Bordeaux France 13.5% Red
Caladoc, Cabernet Franc.
Fragrant nose of cloves, dark berry fruit, orange zest and dried flowers. It’s bright, precise and crunchy, with a medium body, firm yet fine-grained tannins and a zesty, long finish. Drink from 2025.
James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.comORDER COLLECT
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