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Tasting notes
With the highest concentration of Petit Verdot in St. Emilion, as well as the largest plantings of Carmenere in the Right Bank, the assemblage is 63% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 7% Carmenere. The wine will be aged in 30% new oak. With spice, floral, earth and dark cherry scents, this medium-bodied wine ends with soft red berry flavors. theWineCellarInsider.com
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
A white with lots of citrus and mineral character and plums too. Medium body, with a solid density and a medium finish. jamessuckling.com
Good value as usual. Attractive fruit, round, ripe tannins and a zesty freshness. Drinkable Saint-Emilion at an affordable price. Drink 2014-2020. Decanter.com
The de Fonbel is a blend of 63% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 7% Carmenere that is raised in 30% new oak. It has a natural, undergrowth tinged bouquet that unfurls nicely in the glass and develops a lovely, fresh citrus note with aeration, quite floral in fact. The palate is medium-bodied with strict tannins on the entry. It is well balanced, tightly coiled at the moment but I think this will blossom nicely after bottling as it exhibits fine persistency. Tasted April 2012. Neal Martin, eRobertParker.com
About the producer
Owned by the same family as Ch. Ausone, Ch. de Fonbel is one of the best-value Saint-Emilion estates. It has a long history stretching back to the Roman era, however its story really begins when Alain Vauthier purchased the property in 1971.