This is a delicious St Emilion with a wonderful array of flavours that are layered and fresh. One can find violets, cedar, and cassis with an attractive floral background that is reminiscent of wines from the Margaux appellation. This is a fantastic, well balanced wine that will be one of the best values from Bordeaux in 2010. asianpalate.com
Jeannie Cho Lee MWScore: 91-93/100
Bright and fruity with a lovely purity of cherries and berries, minerals and firm tannins. Lively acidity. The 7 percent Carménère gives this a lively and unique style. jamessuckling.com
James SucklingScore: 91-92/100
Fonbel 66% Merlot 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 7% Carmenere opened with jammy berries, licorice and floral scents. Medium bodied and soft textured, the wine ends with a licorice and sweet jammy berry finish. winecellarinsider.com
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar InsiderScore: 89-91/100
Fabulously silky and ripe. Chock full of delicious red and blue fruit.
FINE+RAREScore: 16.5/20
Taut with briar and blackberry flavors, this shows sappy black cherry on the finish, with buried minerality. James Molesworth, winespectator.com
Wine SpectatorScore: 88-91/100
Sister of Ausone. Dark cherry red. Very rich nose. Then thick and flattering. A bit sweeter than one associates with a premier grand cru. Then a little bit dry but not forced. jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MWScore: 16/20
Lively, fresh and accented towards the fruit. Has the originality of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Petit Verdot in the blend. Good value, easy drinking. Drink 2013-2018. James Lawther, decanter.com
DecanterScore: 15.5/20
Very dark berried, slightly herbaceous fruit on the nose that is well defined and quite rustic compared to recent vintages. The palate is full-bodied with firm, strict tannins, somehow reminding me of a Malbec. Good weight and length, but not as complex as the 2009. Tasted March 2011. Neal Martin erobertparker.com
Neal MartinScore: 87-89/100
A very good, competent St.-Emilion with notes of cedar, roasted herbs, lavender, black cherries and spice, there is something southern Rhone-like to this wine’s aromatics. However, on the palate, the wine is classic Bordeaux, with moderate tannin, medium weight, and good freshness and precision. Drink it over the next decade. Wine Advocate.February, 2013
Robert ParkerScore: 87/100
Bordeaux / France