CHATEAU DE FONBEL Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Red 2018
Red
2018
Bordeaux
Saint-Emilion
Merlot
Organic
Tasting Notes & Ratings
Grape
76% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Carmenère and 7% Petit Verdot
Tasting notes
The 2018 Château De Fonbel is a juicy, medium to full-bodied, elegant Saint-Émilion that has seriously good notes of black cherries, black raspberries, violets, and spice. It shows the ripe, sexy style of the vintage, but its purity of fruit and polished tannins set it apart. This is a beautiful wine and my money is on it being a best to date.
Expert Ratings
92/94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
About the Winery
The history of Château de Fonbel refers to the Vauthier family. This wonderful vintage, nestled near the medieval town of Saint Emilion is one of three properties managed by Alain and Pauline Vauthier who work every day to produce exceptional wines.
The vineyard of Château de Fonbel is located in the plain of Saint-Emilion, installed on some 16 hectares. The soils are sandy-gravelly and 4 grape varieties coexist here: Merlot (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Petit Verdot (10%) and Carmenère (5%). Alain Vauthier and his daughter Pauline (Châteaux Ausone and Moulin St.-Georges) have significantly raised the level of this property using the same methods as for Château Ausone. They put all their expertise in this property to achieve a very large Saint Emilion Grand Cru. The average age of the vines in the vineyard is 20 years and the harvest is done manually. The fermentation takes place in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats and the aging takes place in barrels of which 30% are new for 12 months.