Fonbadet 2021 (3.0L)

92-93 JS / 91-93 VM / 91 DE

Blackberry and blueberry with stone and graphite. Medium-bodied with a solid core of fruit and tannins. Medium-chewy finish. - James Suckling

The 2021 Fonbadet was picked September 29 to October 12 at 44hL/ha. The well-defined nose offers minerally black fruit and neatly enmeshed oak. The palate is medium-bodied, cohesive and poised, with fine-grained tannins, a fine line of acidity and a sustained finish. This is a superb, dense and muscular Pauillac that might well represent the best value within the appellation. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

Intensity and style on show here, this is a bold, characterful wine with plenty to shout about - plump tannins fill the mouth supporting the ripe and chewy blackcurrant and black cherry fruit while acidity keeps things lifted. Despite clear power there is such a charm to this because the texture and overall weight is so well balanced. Not too much or too little but well controlled and presented with definition and persistence. If anything it's not so elegant right now but I love the gently forceful nature. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter