France

Château Fonroque

Chateau Fonroque Grand Cru Classe Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Bordeaux

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Softly spoken expression of the vintage, there is charm here, with redcurrant and raspberry fruits, a little dilute through the mid palate but with waves of sage and tobacco leaf to add complexity. Early to medium term drinking. Harvest 24 September to 7 October. 26 hl/ha yield.

Inside Bordeaux

Medium intensity ruby red, plenty of ripe raspberry and red cherry fruits on the nose, not as inky as some, with more nuance and florality among the fruits, violet edging, bitter anis on the finnish, this is charming, with balance. 31% new barrels, 25% barrels that have contained at least one previous wine, 20% foudre, 18% amphora and 6% concrete tank.

Earthy raspberry notes, a little less concentrated than some in the appellation this year, although this is still very much a muscualr wine for the property, with edges of smoked rosemary herbs. Careful extraction, marked a little bit by heat so the fruit feels a touch baked, but there is juice and freshness here, and it is enjoyable and supple. Guillard family new owners for the last few years, with Alain Moueix still heading things up at this lovely biodynamic property. 34% new barrels.

This has done well over ageing, still austere and clearly with fruit that just about skirts ripeness, but there is real charm and juiciness on display, finessed with fragrant tomato leaf and soft raspberry and strawberry fruit. Unfussy, although the tannins are a little rustic and you would have a hard time saying that this vintage is delivering at the usual classified St Emilion level. Certified biodynamic.

The 2020 Fonroque is made from 87 % Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it charges out with eager-to-go notes of baked blackberries, juicy black plums, and black cherries, leading to wafts of charcoal, Indian spices, and crushed rocks. The full-bodied palate is dense and vibrant, with velvety tannins and compelling tension, finishing long and with great purity.

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

Alain Moueix is a master of delivering tingling slate-strewn raspberry and redcurrant fruit flavours; and this is full of tension and poise. Gorgeous, with a lightness of touch. A yield of 40hl/ha.

Violet aromatics, heading towards jasmine, reflecting fully ripe fruits and the sandy-gravel soils that saw some concentration in the berries. It's ready to being drinking, with attractive loganberry and raspberry puree, along with campfire smoke and sweet liquorice. Just tasting the 2009 of this pair, as there is no 2009 left at the château.

A little subdued, with raspberry leaf and loam, with blueberry and redcurrant fruits. Flint reduction is still apparent on the first nose, and this really does need an hour in a carafe to soften and open. Lean and savoury, not giving much away - I would give it a lot of air, and coax the gentle fruit out of the glass. Director Alain Moueix, an early adopter, had just completed a full conversion to organic farming in this vintage, and had just begun with biodynamics also.

2024	No priceNot available	Very Good
2023	No priceNot available	Excellent
2022	No priceNot available	Excellent
2021	No priceNot available	Good
2020	No priceNot available	Excellent

Category	Red wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Château Fonroque
Vintages	2024
Country	France, Bordeaux, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Bottle	75 cl

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