Château de Fonbel Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2022

Tastingbook.com

Falstaff

Deep dark ruby garnet, violet reflections, broader edge brightening. Fresh dark cherries, but also red berries are underlined, subtle herbal spiciness, somewhat restrained bouquet. Slim, fine fruit sweetness, mineral and fresh, guarantees uncomplicated drinking pleasure at a high level.

Markus del Monego MW

Tim Atkin

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

"Black cherry, blueberry and cassis fruits on the opening beats, this is an intense Fonbel that leans into the vintage character but always stays on the right side of balance. A good quality wine with clear ageing ability, a little less immediately charming that in less highly charged vintages. Clay-sand soils with areas of gravel. Cellar master Philippe Baillarguet. 30% new oak. Harvest September 15 to 21, with the unusual addition of Carmanère in the blend."

Vert de Vin Magazine

(85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Carménère) Nice nose that offers elegance, intensity, harmonious power, depth, finesse as well as a fine infusion side in its depth. It reveals notes of concentrated blackberry notes, quite ripe (but fresh) black berries and more lightly wild red berries associated with a touch of cuben pepper, violet and star anise. The palate is fresh, straight/gourmet and offers minerality, fruit, a certain sweetness, tension, accuracy and a nice energy. On the palate this wine expresses notes of bright raspberry, bright red berries and slight notes of bright boysenberry associated with touches of star anise, blueberry, toasted/chocolate and a subtle hint almost Ceylon tea in the background. The tannins are supple and precise. Nice freshness.

Jane Anson

Black cherry, blueberry and cassis fruits on the opening beats, this is an intense Fonbel that leans into the vintage character but always stays on the right side of balance. A good quality wine with clear ageing ability, a little less immediately charming that in less highly charged vintages. Clay-sand soils with areas of gravel. Cellar master Philippe Baillarguet. 30% new oak. Harvest September 15 to 21, with the unusual addition of Carmanère in the blend.

Antonio Galloni

The 2022 De Fonbel is gorgeous. Rich, plummy and super-expressive, Fonbel is an absolute delight in 2022. Succulent red cherry, plum, spice, rose petal and mocha are nicely pushed forward. The 2022 is a supple, charming Saint-Émilion that will drink well with minimal cellaring. In this tasting it is an absolute delight. The blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Carménère works so well here. Drinking window : 2027-2042

Jeb Dunnuck

The 2022 Château De Fonbel is based on 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Carmenère. Ripe black cherries, redcurrants, tobacco, chocolate, and some chalky earth all define the aromatics, and it's another rich, medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured, elegant, layered 2022 with tons of character.

Alexandre Ma

Like a fresh and juicy wisteria swaying in the wind, Château de Fonbel 2022 showcases a slender figure and clear fruit aromas. The crisp notes of sour plum perfectly complement the translucent texture, while the scent of violet adds a touch of charm and beauty. Despite being sourced from clay and sandy vineyards, this wine carries a unique and delightful hint of saltiness that makes it truly intriguing.

VV Wine

(85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Carmenère) Perfumed nose, very fine fragrance, herbal spices, red berries, some roses, complex. Straightforward on the palate with a fresh character, very elegant, with fine-grained tannins, a top acid structure and a finish characterized by red berries and a hint of fruit tea. Balanced and with breed. Will be fun early.

The Vintage Journal

Deep crimson. Intense red cherry, vanilla, roasted almond, marzipan aromas Fresh dense and impactful with ample red cherry, mulberry, touch black olive flavours, fine sinewy tannins and underlying savoury/ roasted almond Cedary firm finish. 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Carmenere 14% alc.

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

Ruby in color, the wine shows a perfume of plums, flowers, and spice before you get to the medium-bodied, fresh, vibrant palate with its spicy red fruit profile and peppery spice note that comes in at the end of the finish. The wine was made from a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Carmenere. Drink from 2025-2038.

James Suckling

A juicy and flavorful red with lots of red fruits, currants, cloves and some nutmeg. It's full and layered with lots of fruit. 85% merlot, 10% cabernet sauvignon and 5% carmenere.

The Drinks Business

After Haut Simard, this is a little ferrous, the fruit perhaps a little blitzed and blended. Full, plush and plump with lots of crushed berry and stone fruit. Layered, if again a little blended and lacking mid-palate clarity and delineation. Ample, with fine-grained and quite gracious tannins. Long on the finish if not the most elegant. 91-93.

The Wine Independent

The 2022 de Fonbel is a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Carmenere and has a deep garnet-purple color. It flies out of the glass with energetic notes of crushed blackberries, boysenberries, and raspberry coulis, leading to suggestions of Indian spices, pencil shavings, and iron ore. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and opulent, delivering mouth-watering freshness contrasted with powerful, firm, rounded tannins, finishing very long and fruity. Impressive!

Matthew Jukes