2020 Chateau Fonplegade, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France (750ml)

TASTING NOTES:

Beautiful aromatics, vibrant, full of clarity and bright fruit delivery. Plum, blueberry, bursting with juicy life. Keeps delivering on the palate also, sprightly and vibrant, and soaked in limestone, wet stone personality. Has good depth of flavour, with a kick on the finish. Will age well, this is great stuff, a brilliant example of St-Emilion limestone. A buy!
Barrel Sample: 95

– Decanter, 95 pts.

Attractive aromas of ripe black and blue fruit with crushed violets, walnut and dark chocolate. Some dried leaves, too. Medium- to full-bodied with a plush and supple palate that offers an array of ripe, racy tannins and a crunchy, deep berry character. Structured and focused with a juicy finish.

– James Suckling, 94 pts.

Utterly classic notes of red and black cherries, chocolate, tobacco, and spicy wood emerge from the 2020 Chateau Fonplegade, a medium-bodied, pure, balanced, elegant Saint-Emilion that comes from a gorgeous terroir on the Cote Pavie. Based on 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc that was raised in 50% new oak, it has building tannins, a layered, mouth-filling texture, and outstanding length. Give bottles 2-4 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following 10-15. It’s a complex, satisfying, impeccably made 2020.

– Jeb Dunnuck, 94 pts.

The 2020 Fonplgade is elegant, gracious and lifted, just as it was from barrel. Bright acids lend notable energy in this silky, nuanced Saint-milion. Crushed red berry fruit, cinnamon, mint and blood orange are all woven together in this very pretty, alluring Saint-milion. This is beautifully done.

– Vinous, 94 pts.

This dense wine has some serious tannins as well as layers of black fruits. Its acidity and freshness are impeccable, giving finesse and a balance with the structure.

– Wine Enthusiast, 93 pts.

Another successful vintage for this estate, the 2020 Fonplgade delivers aromas of cherries, plums, licorice and pencil shavings, follow by a medium to full-bodied, deep and refined palate that concludes with a saline, attractively floral finish. It’s one 2020 that is more elegant than its 2019 counterpart.

–Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 92 pts.