Château Fonplégade 2018

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Fonplegade needs no convincing, charging out of the gate with bold notions of black cherry preserves, mulberries and ripe, juicy black plums, leading to suggestions of Indian spices, dried roses and smoked meats plus a touch of tar. The medium to full-bodied palate is beautifully crafted, dripping with poise and sophistication, draped in plush tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a lingering black cherry note. A very polished showing! - Lisa Perrotti-Brown. 

The currant and light vanilla come through on the nose with some flowers, too. It’s full-bodied with lots of rich fruit and chewy tannins that need to soften. Powerful and intense. Try after 2024.

Based on 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, coming from a gorgeous terroir on the Côte Pavie, the 2018 Château Fonplégade reveals a dense purple/ruby color as well as a charming, ripe, sexy style in its red and blue fruits, flowers, toasted spice, and loamy soil aromas and flavors. It shows more floral nuances with time in the glass, has a distinct earthy minerality, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. It takes lots of air to show at its best, and it will ideally be given 4-5 years of bottle age to integrate its oak, but unquestionably, everything is the right place, and this is a beautiful Saint-Emilion.

Silky tannins, lovely fresh lift and some menthol powering along through the finish. Brambled fruits, freshly cut and dried herbs, with tons of nuance and complexity here. Some austerity still at this stage, all confirming the promise shown during en primeur. 50% new oak, 30% one-year barrels, 10% cement eggs, 10% amphora.

Une belle envergure pour un vin racé, à la fraîcheur intense, aux tanins ourlés, à peine poudrés. On savoure son énergie.

This well-balanced wine is ripe, with dense black fruits shot through with ageworthy tannins. Poised and already offering fruitiness and ripeness built for long-term aging, this wine will be ready from 2026. Organic and biodynamic. Roger Voss.