Chateau Fonplegade 2020

JAMES SUCKLING: "Attractive aromas of ripe black and blue fruit with crushed violets, walnut and dark chocolate. Some dried leaves, too. Medium- to full-bodied with a plush and supple palate that offers an array of ripe, racy tannins and a crunchy, deep berry character. Structured and focused with a juicy finish. Drink after 2025."

WEINWISSER: "Tiefes Purpur mit opaker Mitte und zartem lila Rand. Verhaltener Beginn, zarte Reduktion spürbar (BIO), Heidelbeere, Holundergelee und Lakritze, dahinter Veilchenparfüm, Milchschokolade und schwarze Johannisbeerdrops. Am vielschichtigen Gaumen mit cremiger Textur, herrlicher Extraktfülle, engmaschigem Tanningerüst und muskulösem Körper. Im konzentrierten Finale Wildkirsche, dunkle Mineralik und eine arrogante Bitterness, hier ist alles am richtigen Platz – Top Leistung dieses Jahr."

DECANTER: "A sweetness to the blackcurrant fruit on the nose; perfumed, aromatic and interesting. Ripe and rich, this is a bold style, there’s clear power, concentration and drive. High-toned ripe fruit with spice from the tannins giving this heft right now. Long length. You feel they worked hard here to refine the overall expression, to not push too much. Lots of mint and liquorice, though, which do takeover. But, this also has great freshness and cooling blue fruit touches. I love the finish, it’s lifted, salty and strong. Wait for this."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Utterly classic notes of red and black cherries, chocolate, tobacco, and spicy wood emerge from the 2020 Château Fonplégade, a medium-bodied, pure, balanced, elegant Saint-Emilion that comes from a gorgeous terroir on the Côte Pavie. Based on 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc that was raised in 50% new oak, it has building tannins, a layered, mouth-filling texture, and outstanding length. Give bottles 2-4 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following 10-15. It's a complex, satisfying, impeccably made 2020."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "The showy nose wants your attention due to its essence of flowers, minerals, licorice, mint leaf, and red fruits. On the palate, the wine is silky, fresh, and vibrant. Concentrated, rich, yet elegant, and light on its feet, this is a refined wine with finesse, length, and purity which is not afraid to offer its oceanic influences along with all of its layers of perfectly ripe, red, and black fruits. This will age effortlessly for two decades or more, but you can also enjoy it in its youth, if you are like me, and can't wait to see what it's all about. Drink from 2025-2045."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Barrel Sample. This wine shines with ripe blackberry flavors and richly textured Merlot. There is a core of perfumes and acidity that retains the essential freshness of the vintage. Organic."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, opaker Kern, dezente Randaufhellung. Zart floral unterlegte reife Herzkirschfrucht, zart nach Brombeeren und Pflaumen, ein Hauch von Nugat und Edelholz. Kraftvoll, saftig, relativ süße Textur, runde Tannine, frische Struktur, mineralisch, zeigt Länge und Charme, wird bald antrinkbar sein, ein facettenreicher Begleiter bei Tisch."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Fonplegade is locked down tight to begin, offering only subtle cedar hints before bursting forth with notes of plum preserves, blueberry compote, and chocolate-covered cherries, plus hints of star anise and black olives. The full-bodied palate is taut with firm, muscular fruit and grainy tannins, supported by soft acidity and finishing on a lingering anise note."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Another successful vintage for this estate, the 2020 Fonplégade delivers aromas of cherries, plums, licorice and pencil shavings, follow by a medium to full-bodied, deep and refined palate that concludes with a saline, attractively floral finish. It's one 2020 that is more elegant than its 2019 counterpart."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Bright but not that dense crimson. Interesting, minerally nose. Round and resolved already – dangerously evolved or just fun to drink? Not one of the most concentrated 2020 St-Émilions but very well integrated and balanced. Luscious fruit and no obvious excess of alcohol, tannin or acidity. Though a lot of tannin is lurking beneath that deceptively welcoming fruit… A hint of Marmite/yeast extract on the impressively long finish. Wholesome is not too much of an exaggeration."