Critic Notes
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
Score: 91-93/100Jeannie Cho Lee MW
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
Score: 91-92/100James Suckling
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
Score: 89-91/100Jeff Leve
Fabulously silky and ripe. Chock full of delicious red and blue fruit.
Score: 16.5-/20FINE+RARE
Taut with briar and blackberry flavors, this shows sappy black cherry on the finish, with buried minerality. James Molesworth, winespectator.com
Score: 88-91/100Wine Spectator
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
Score: 16-/20Jancis Robinson
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
Score: 15.5-/20Decanter
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
Score: 87-89/100Neal Martin
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
Score: 87-/100Robert Parker
