2023 Fonreaud
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Tasting notes
A serious, structured Listrac-Médoc that brings a touch of austerity, the 2023 Château Fonréaud offers juicy berries, graphite, dried herbs, and tobacco on the nose. It's medium-bodied, firm, and a touch dry on the palate, yet it still has a solid core of sweet fruit, which I suspect will come through with another 2-4 years in the cellar. Based on 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot and aged 12 months in 30% new French oak with the balance in concrete, it should see its 20th birthday in fine form. Drink 2026-2046.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2023 Fonréaud has a vibrant bouquet, with airy blackberry and wild hedgerow scents that gain traction with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with sapid black fruit, fine acidity, well balanced with a bright and tensile finish. This has improved during its élevage and is promising for the future.
Spicy red and black cherries, dried herbs, and floral notes emerge from the 2023 Château Fonréaud, a medium-bodied, focused, firmer, yet nicely concentrated Listrac. It plays in the fresher, focused style of the vintage and has a firmer edge.
Red, and black cherries, espresso, chocolate, licorice, and spice are all over the place here, in the perfume, and on the soft, creamy-textured, palate. It will be easy to enjoy this on release.
About the producer
Situated at the highest point in the Médoc (at a huge 43 metres above sea-level), this estate is thought to be named after a spring on the site, from which Henry II supposedly drank (a “royal fountain”).