wine details
reviews
James Suckling 92-93/100Very pretty with pure cassis and sliced orange character. Medium body, fine tannins and a polished finish. Balanced and fresh. Some stone and salty undertones. 64% merlot, 28% cabernet sauvignon and 8% carmenere.
Neal Martin Vinous 88-90/100
The 2023 Château de Fonbel was picked from September 12 to October 5. It has a straightforward bouquet with predominantly black fruit, hints of licorice and subtle gravel scents. It’s finely delineated if missing a little power. The palate is medium-bodied and fleshy with pliant tannins, closing with a gentle and lightly spiced finish. Drink it over the next decade.
The Wine Advocate 89-91/100
A slightly reduced, elegant bouquet of iris, gentian, licorice and spices intermixed with exuberant notes of violet preface the 2023 Fonbel, a medium to full-bodied, elegant and tense wine with a juicy core of fruit and a long, ethereal finish characterized by vertical energy. This is a blend of 64% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Carmenère. It’s a great bottle in the making.
Jane Anson 92/100
Intense redcurrant, blueberry and blackberry fruit, good vivacity and crunch, with tannins that have austerity but enough juice running through them to ensure balance. This is higher Merlot in the blend than Château Simard from the same range, but the character of the fruit is darker and more textured. Enjoyable.