Tom Casagrande

9.5

About to go outside and grill some Christmas lamb chops. I cannot tell you how many times bottles of various vintages of this special wine purchased on secondary markets—which is the only way worker bees like me can score Fonsalette—have disappointed. But, in a Christmas Miracle, this one’s pristine and sooooo good. Cork intact, very little saturation. High fill. A little amber at the rim, but no more than to be expected for its age. Lovely nose is opening with air (I double decanted) and is showing sultry, inviting scents of wet loamy gravel, pink grapefruit flesh, rich, oozy red berries, and well cared-for leather. So packed with flavor but in a frame that seemingly floats, it’s still got some tannin to shed but it’s quite soft textured. What balance! Quite long.

This is the wine I chose (the ‘83 iteration) in March 1987 when I invited a then-new friend over for grilled (on my fire escape ) lamb chops and Italian green beans (like my Nonna made them). That night became a first date with my wife of over 36 years. So we try to replicate that dinner at least once a year, and this is the first time in quite a while that the Fonsalette delivered and was not the victim of careless storage!!!! I’m a happy boy! — 12 days ago

Ann Elizabeth Mekala

9.0

Anise and plummy with some earthiness…so good! — 4 days ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.2

Clear, medium ruby in color; on the nose, it's clean with medium intensity primary and secondary aromas of lavender, maraschino cherries, and leather; on the palate, it's dry with medium plus acidity, medium plus tannins, high alcohol, medium body, and pronounced primary and secondary flavors of blackberries, black olives, fresh asphalt, and camphor with a long finish. This wine is complex, and intense. Overall, I rate this wine as very good. — 18 days ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.1

Clear, deep ruby in color; on the nose, it's clean with pronounced primary and secondary aromas of blackberries, black cherries, violets, and baking spices; on the palate, it's dry with high acidity, high tannins, high alcohol, full body, and pronounced primary and secondary flavors of raspberries, blueberries, and fresh asphalt with a long finish. Overall, this wine is complex and intense. I rate this wine as very good. — 14 days ago

Peter Sultan

9.0

I’ve seen this label so many times it was easy to dismiss. A big, dark, joyous bottle ( including the bottle itself, which is hefty). Syrah all the way. — 13 days ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.2

Very round full bodied Rhône. Majority Grenache, drinks beautifully now but can age easily another 10 years. Dry, mouthfillling, garigue on nose and palate. — 19 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Aromatics of new leather and dried fruit. Not your average Côtes du Rhône as you would expect from Chateau de Beaucastel. More full bodied than expected to go with our chicken dish. Far richer than Guigal’s version of Côtes du Rhône. — a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.1

2020 vintage. Medium body. 60 Grenache 25 Syrah 10 Mourvèdre 5 Cinsault. From 50 year old vines. Nose with blood, garrigue, summer trail dust, raspberry and finely ground black pepper. Same in the flavors plus pomegranate and blood orange. Currently needs some back end, tannic grip but the first 2/3rds pretty decent for the price. 12.23.25. — 14 days ago

Michael Coscetta

8.9

One of my favorite roses…even in winter — 4 days ago

Brandon T

9.3

Medium body CdR. Jammier than expected. Lots of years ahead. — 25 days ago