Haut-Fonrazade

St. Émilion Grand Cru

9.07 ratings
9.01 pro ratings
St. Émilion, Libournais, Bordeaux, France
Red Bordeaux Blend
Chili & Hot Spicy, Potato, White Rice, Mushrooms, Pasta, Pork, Salami & Prosciutto, Pungent Cheese, Lamb, Tomato-Based, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Beef, Hard Cheese, Venison
Top Notes For
Ellen Clifford

Is Merlot Monday a thing? Okay so this is only 80% Merlot (20% Cab Franc) but it is working for me. Smells like purple plums got inspired to write poetry about the cedar trees and violets blooming in their backyard (plums DO have backyards) so they naturally whipped out number two pencils, lit a pipe, and chilled out to write in situ. The plums, the pencils, the trees and flora, the birds and bees, you get all this in here. And soy sauce. I can’t explain it. Mayhaps I’ll go old-school and give it the ol’ WSET analysis:
Eye: medium ruby teasing at the beginnings of garnet at the rim. Thick slow tears.
Nose: medium plus intensity of plums, cassis, cedar, violet, tobacco and dare I say...garrigue‽ in Merlot? Who knew.
Palate: dry, medium acidity, medium fine-grained tannins, medium plus alcohol (albeit nowadays we would have to call it high as it is 14.1 so just barely high), medium body medium plus flavors echoing the nose with the added savory soy note that is quite compelling. Finish is medium plus.
It may be too late for new year resolutions but mine is now to not neglect Merlot. Merlot Monday’s it is!

Is Merlot Monday a thing? Okay so this is only 80% Merlot (20% Cab Franc) but it is working for me. Smells like purple plums got inspired to write poetry about the cedar trees and violets blooming in their backyard (plums DO have backyards) so they naturally whipped out number two pencils, lit a pipe, and chilled out to write in situ. The plums, the pencils, the trees and flora, the birds and bees, you get all this in here. And soy sauce. I can’t explain it. Mayhaps I’ll go old-school and give it the ol’ WSET analysis:
Eye: medium ruby teasing at the beginnings of garnet at the rim. Thick slow tears.
Nose: medium plus intensity of plums, cassis, cedar, violet, tobacco and dare I say...garrigue‽ in Merlot? Who knew.
Palate: dry, medium acidity, medium fine-grained tannins, medium plus alcohol (albeit nowadays we would have to call it high as it is 14.1 so just barely high), medium body medium plus flavors echoing the nose with the added savory soy note that is quite compelling. Finish is medium plus.
It may be too late for new year resolutions but mine is now to not neglect Merlot. Merlot Monday’s it is!

Feb 23rd, 2021
Mark S.

Matured nuance. Spiciness created by CF. Gentle. Good enough. Enjoyable. CP good. 2008 @1200, domaine -, 220914-220919

Matured nuance. Spiciness created by CF. Gentle. Good enough. Enjoyable. CP good. 2008 @1200, domaine -, 220914-220919

Sep 16th, 2022
JKT
9.0

Very nice balanced Merlot Cab Franc blend with purple flowers and savory notes with a nice lift. Most of bottle with Margaret L as she headed back north. From JR.

Very nice balanced Merlot Cab Franc blend with purple flowers and savory notes with a nice lift. Most of bottle with Margaret L as she headed back north. From JR.

Nov 1st, 2021
Mark S.

More than 10 years, but still tannic. Dry. Blueberry. Spicy. It is better to drink it up within a day. 2008 @1200, domaine -, 211008-211014

More than 10 years, but still tannic. Dry. Blueberry. Spicy. It is better to drink it up within a day. 2008 @1200, domaine -, 211008-211014

Oct 7th, 2021
Chris Sowick

Garagiste selection. $19.96. Very smooth tannins. 80% Merlot. Deep, dark berry tones.

Garagiste selection. $19.96. Very smooth tannins. 80% Merlot. Deep, dark berry tones.

Aug 14th, 2021
Erik Michielsen

Erik had this 3 years ago

Erik had this 3 years ago

Dec 13th, 2021
Erik Michielsen

Erik had this 4 years ago

Erik had this 4 years ago

Mar 13th, 2021