2005 Fonroque
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Tasting notes
The ruby-hued 2005 Château Fonroque (it has a touch of bricking) offers a mature yet complex notes of spicy red and black fruits as well as leather, truffle, and spicy nuances. These carry to a medium to full-bodied, nicely balanced, satisfying Saint-Emilion that has integrated tannins and outstanding length. It’s not getting better but this complex, workhorse style beauty will continue drinking nicely over the coming 5-7 years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
A little subdued, with raspberry leaf and loam, with blueberry and redcurrant fruits. Flint reduction is still apparent on the first nose, and this really does need an hour in a carafe to soften and open. Lean and savoury, not giving much away - I would give it a lot of air, and coax the gentle fruit out of the glass. Director Alain Moueix, an early adopter, had just completed a full conversion to organic farming in this vintage, and had just begun with biodynamics also.
This biodynamically run estate produced a blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc in 2005. A strong showing for Fonroque, this super-concentrated, opaque ruby/purple wine is still remarkably youthful. It offers notes of wet rocks intermixed with blackcurrant, black cherry and blackberry fruit. Some licorice, truffle and earth are also present in this full-bodied, stunningly rich wine, which may be the best Fonroque I have ever tasted from producer Alain Moueix. Don’t touch it for another 4-5 years and drink it over the following 20.