Fonplegade 2021 (750ML)

92-94 JD / 93+ VM / 93 JA / 92-93 JS / 91 DE / 90-91 WA

I loved the 2021 Château Fonplégade, a richer, medium to full-bodied, round, impressively textured Saint-Emilion. Coming from a gorgeous hillside terroir and mostly Merlot, it has good mid-palate density, terrific balance, and outstanding length. The blend is 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, still resting in 30% new barrels. - Jeb Dunnuck

The 2021 Fonplégade is a very pretty, delicate Saint-Émilion. Silky, aromatic and medium in body, the 2021 is classy from start to finish. Spice, menthol, tobacco, mocha and dried herbs open gradually in the glass. In this tasting, the 2021 comes across a bit clenched in feel. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Great quality, this is plump, rich, plenty of raspberry and red cherry fruit with pencil lead and chalk tannins, maintains momentum through the mid palate, and very much working with the vintage, careful extraction that keeps the foot on the pedal to emphasise juicy acidities rather than austere tannins. Good stuff. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

All about finesse and focus for the vintage, with a medium-bodied palate and fine tannins. Racy and pretty. Slightly smoked lemon. From biodynamically grown grapes. - James Suckling

Perfumed and scented on the nose with cocoa powder too. Dark and savoury on the palate, the fruit more blackcurrant, plum and damson with clear liquorice spicing throughout the palate. The texture is appealing as is the minerality at the back of the throat but this stop a little short or rather just lacks a little persistence in terms of weight. But good direction and long aerial finish. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter

The 2021 Fonplégade offers up aromas of rich berry and cherry fruit framed by minty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and lively, it's generous and concentrated, albeit a touch marked by its 50% new oak at this early stage. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate