France

Chateau de Fonbel

Chateau de Fonbel Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Bordeaux

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Soft, fragrant, charming. Crisp, bright, vivid plum fruit that has the most grip of the three Vauthier estates on the southern slopes of St Emilion. Harvest 20 September to 5 October. 1/3 in oak, Philippe Baillarguet cellar master. Harvest 20 September to 5 October. 1/3 in oak. 

Inside Bordeaux

A blend of 64% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Carmenere, the 2023 de Fonbel has a deep garnet-purple color. It is a little closed to begin, needing a bit of patient swirling to bring out notes of boysenberries, baked plums, and tar, followed by hints of anise and black olives. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing and elegantly played, with soft, silky tannins and a peppery finish.

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

The 2022 de Fonbel is a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Carmenere and has a deep garnet-purple color. It flies out of the glass with energetic notes of crushed blackberries, boysenberries, and raspberry coulis, leading to suggestions of Indian spices, pencil shavings, and iron ore. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and opulent, delivering mouth-watering freshness contrasted with powerful, firm, rounded tannins, finishing very long and fruity. Impressive!

Clay-sand soils with areas of gravel, more of a challenge than Ausone and La Clotte in the conditions of 2020, but this is extremely well handled, with sweet red cherry, redcurrant and raspberry fruit, ripe with touch of smoked oak (although no new oak used) and coffee beans. In conversion for organic certification since this vintage 2020, this is showing a little less density than the other Vauthier wines in the range, but it is unfussy and well made, easy to recommend.

The 2019 de Fonbel is made from 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Carmenere. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it delivers bright, breezy notes of red cherry preserves and black raspberry followed by hints of lavender, star anise, and wild sage. The medium-bodied palate has a racy backbone and grainy tannins with bright, crunchy fruit and great length.

2024	No priceNot available	Very Good
2023	No priceNot available	Excellent
2022	No priceNot available	Excellent
2020	No priceNot available	Excellent
2019	No priceNot available	Excellent

Category	Red wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Chateau de Fonbel
Vintages	1997
Country	France, Bordeaux, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Bottle	75 cl

Alcohol	%
Acid	%
Sugar	g/l

Packaging
Cork type
Selection
Wholesaler
Carrier