Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend

The 2012 Chateau Fonplégade is a lush, textured wine with bags of charm from a poor vintage, unmistakably right bank Bordeaux but with more than a nod, somehow, to the ripe and succulent wines of the southern Rhône.

Tasted immediately on opening, it was rather large on all fronts - really quite a ‘wow’ moment in fairness, and a splendid nose, but asking for time in the decanter (side note: actually preferred it after this pop’n’pour!)

Classical aromas of cigar box, cassis and kirsch dominate the nose; the palate is then quite concentrated with fruit that leans toward the riper side of freshness but carries through to a long and generous finish.

Overall, this is a big, showy Saint Emilion - perhaps a little over-extracted but a terrific wine nonetheless considering the vintage. I prefer the 2011 by comparison, but look forward to trying this again in a few years’ time.

Violets, blackberries, fresh hint of peach, some balsamic hints, red and dark. Medium bodied, fine tannins, mouthfill and decent length. Good value, good complexity.

2014 vintage. This historical estate with great terroir surrounded by famous neighbours like Angélus, Ausone, Pavie etc. is going from strength to strength after it was bought by Denise and Stephen Adams (also owners of Château L'Enclos in Pomerol and ADAMVS in Napa Valley). 2014 vintage. 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Biodynamically farmed (since 2009, certification in 2020). Intriguing attractive nose with an amazing minerality, intertwined with cassis and a hint of truffle. In the mouth it is initially a bit severe, if classy. I would recommend decanting or taste it over several hours. After a few hours the fruit shines through compensating the tight tannic structure and the acidity. Built to age, I feel this will deserve a higher score in 5 or 6 years. It's a very classic restrained wine that definitely has an understated class. Nice value at under 50 euros if you like this style.

Smelling this wine put such a smile on my face. A heavenly cacophony of dark red fruit, vanilla and cedar. On the palate, this is a very full bodied, virile Saint Emilion with lots of red fruits - cranberry, blackberry, cassis - and a wave of strong espresso, dark chocolate and vanilla.

Still incredibly youthful, very dry with abundant tannin and pitch-perfect acidity. Finish is very long. Impressive and seriously enjoyable stuff.

The 2017 Fonplégade is classy, polished and simply impeccable in its balance. The Fonplégade is not a huge wine, but it has really gained in finesse over the course of its aging. Sweet red cherry, pomegranate, blood orange, mint and cinnamon add character to this racy, silky, exceptionally polished Saint-Émilion. Floral overtones add brightness to the finish. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2020)

Red fruit, with a district citrus note. Midweight and very elegant. Good now but will get better.

Bright and good grip. Dark on midpalate. This is a complex, sophisticated wine and very delicious.

Big ripe forward fruit....delicious black blue fruit, silky tannin amd plush wine...acid present but not dominating in this wine..some earth and tertiary characteristics with vanilla and baking spices...be tough to get blind given the more modern style...but regardless, damn good...

Monthly WTF group. Theme this month was merlot. All wines tasted blind.

My guess was domestic and that it was a 2013-2015. Very surprised this was French. I found it to be a very modern expression. Ripe fruits, licorice, plum, cassis, and just a faint hint of leather at last sip. I imagine its French pedigree would have shown itself more as the night went on. Really enjoyed this.

Deeper and more brooding than many other right bank wines, powerful tannins full bodied, yet surprisingly approachable blackberry/cassis/black plum fruit with moderate oak impression. 14% ABV. Merlot/Cabernet Franc blend. Winemaking program: concrete vats and French oak. Estate received organic certification in 2013, although not certified in 2012.