Product Description
Bordeaux Chateau Fonbel St Emilion Grand Cru
Tasting Notes
Grape
Merlot (85%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), Carmenère (5%)
Tasting notes
The blend of Château de Fonbel wines – Merlot with a complement of other grape varieties, suggesting great diversity in the field of possibilities. Challengers by nature and benefiting from certain innovations before its illustrious neighbors, the wines of this estate express themselves on fruit, elegance and subtlety with tannins always very integrated for easy consumption when young.
The beautiful balance and freshness – which the wine has drawn from the soil – also give great aging potential. The touch of Carménère finally adds temperament which shifts into spicy or liquorice notes.
Expert Rating
James Suckling – 92/100
Robert Parker – 90/100
About the winery
The history of Château de Fonbel refers to the Vauthier family. This wonderful vintage, nestled near the medieval town of Saint Emilion is one of three properties managed by Alain and Pauline Vauthier who work every day to produce exceptional wines.
The vineyard of Château de Fonbel is located in the plain of Saint-Emilion, installed on some 16 hectares. The soils are sandy-gravelly and 4 grape varieties coexist here: Merlot (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Petit Verdot (10%) and Carmenère (5%). Alain Vauthier and his daughter Pauline (Châteaux Ausone and Moulin St.-Georges) have significantly raised the level of this property using the same methods as for Château Ausone. They put all their expertise in this property to achieve a very large Saint Emilion Grand Cru. The average age of the vines in the vineyard is 20 years and the harvest is done manually. The fermentation takes place in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats and the aging takes place in barrels of which 30% are new for 12 months.
