Chateau Fonplegade 2018

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Fonplegade needs no convincing, charging out of the gate with bold notions of black cherry preserves, mulberries and ripe, juicy black plums, leading to suggestions of Indian spices, dried roses and smoked meats plus a touch of tar. The medium to full-bodied palate is beautifully crafted, dripping with poise and sophistication, draped in plush tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a lingering black cherry note. A very polished showing!"

JAMES SUCKLING: "The currant and light vanilla come through on the nose with some flowers, too. It’s full-bodied with lots of rich fruit and chewy tannins that need to soften. Powerful and intense. Try after 2024."

DECANTER: "Silky tannins, lovely fresh lift and some menthol powering along through the finish. Brambled fruits, freshly cut and dried herbs, with tons of nuance and complexity here. Some austerity still at this stage, all confirming the promise shown during en primeur. 50% new oak, 30% one-year barrels, 10% cement eggs, 10% amphora."

JEB DUNNUCK: "A gorgeous wine that shines on all account, the 2018 Château Fombrauge sports a dense purple hue to go with loads of blackcurrant and black cherry fruits as well as tobacco leaf, damp earth, chocolate, and cedary herbs. With full-bodied richness, a deep, layered mid-palate, silky tannins, and outstanding length, this rock star Saint-Emilion can be enjoyed any time over the coming 20-25 years or more. It's hands down the finest vintage I've tasted from this estate."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Rich, bright, fresh, stony, and showing a good depth of color, the floral perfume also offers licorice, black plum, black cherry, touches of espresso and crushed stone. On the palate, the wine is concentrated, full-bodied, deep and vibrant, leaving you with a long, elegant finish allowing the purity in the fruit to shine. The wine was made from a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Give this beauty about 7 years or so in the cellar and it will really start to shine."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, breitere Randaufhellung. Feinwürzig unterlegte schwarze Frucht, feines Nougat, tabakige Würze, kandierte Orangenzesten sind unterlegt. Saftig, elegant und harmonisch, süße Kirschfrucht, feine Tannine, schokoladiger Hauch im Abgang, gute Länge, sicheres Reifepotenzial."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This well-balanced wine is ripe, with dense black fruits shot through with ageworthy tannins. Poised and already offering fruitiness and ripeness built for long-term aging, this wine will be ready from 2026. Organic and biodynamic."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This is nicely packed with plum, black cherry and boysenberry compote flavors that have good energy and are backed by a mix of savory, violet, anise and applewood notes through the finish. Buried chalky spine should help this age nicely in the cellar too. Drink now through 2030. 3,000 cases made, 300 cases imported. — JM"