Fonbel - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2022

Alexandre Ma

92

byAlexandre Mathe3/10/2025

Like wisteria in full bloom, swaying gracefully in the breeze, the 2022 Château de Fonbel unveils a delicate frame and vibrant fruit expression. Crisp berry notes harmonize beautifully with its luminous texture, while a hint of violet adds an extra touch of charm. Though born from clay and sandy soils, it carries a subtle saline note reminiscent of limestone soil, lending it an intriguing depth. This very touch of salinity further elevates Château de Fonbel’s already distinguished character.

Wine Advocate

91

byWilliam Kelleythe3/7/2025

From a 16-hectare vineyard on sandy soils on the plain, the 2022 Fonbel has turned out nicely, offering up aromas of cherries, blood orange and petals, followed by a medium to full-bodied, supple and nicely concentrated palate with a sweet core of fruit.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

91

byJane Ansonthe3/7/2025

There is so much St Emilion to love here, morello cherry, incense, white pepper, gunsmoke and crayon, no need to wait. Philippe Baillarguet winemaker. 30% new oak. One point upscore from En Primeur, last year of organic conversion.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92

byJeff Levethe3/4/2025

Fonbel, Château de

Jeb DUNNUCK

94

byJeb Dunnuckthe2/28/2025

The 2022 Château De Fonbel is more rounded and layered, with beautiful cassis and black cherry fruits intermixed with chocolaty herbs, graphite, and crushed stone. This ripe, textured, medium to full-bodied 2022 has beautiful tannins and outstanding length. I like it today, and it should have 10-12 years, if not slightly longer, of prime drinking.

Vinous

90

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2025

The 2022 Château de Fonbel has that sorbet-like freshness and vitality than I remarked upon from barrel, featuring light blueberry and cassis scents and a touch of violet coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth texture, graphite-tinged black fruit tones and a hint of dark chocolate. This is quite opulent on the finish but not overpowering or blowsy. Give this two or three years in bottle and it will become a quite delicious Saint-Émilion.

Jamessuckling.com

93

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2025

Really fruit-forward on the nose, with ripe dark cherries and a touch of graphite. Quite firm and nicely chewy on the palate, with an almost full body and a tight yet lengthy finish. Quite flavorful and ripe, but solid and fresh at the same time. Drink from 2027.

Vinous

92

byAntonio Gallonithe1/28/2025

The 2022 de Fonbel is plush, succulent and inviting, all of which lend notable immediacy. Silky, refined tannins wrap around a core of dark-fleshed fruit. Cedar, tobacco, dried herbs and earthy undertones add shades of nuance throughout. This is impeccably done.

Decanter.com

90

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/25/2023

Pretty on the nose, lovely soft vibrant fruits and floral aromas. Supple and succulent, quite a sharp burst of red summer berry fruits on the palate, but the fine tannins give a soft bounce to the palate, balancing the lean minerality and quite austere acidity. Well delivered, smooth and round, soft and gentle with vibrancy and an easy drinkability to it. A touch light in terms of texture, quite linear and streamlined but it works, and this is really quite drinkable already. 3.72pH. Harvest 15-21 September for Merlot, 28 September for Cabernet Sauvignon and 26 October for the Carménère.

Alexandre Ma

91-93

byAlexandre Mathe5/17/2023

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.

Vinous

89-91

byNeal Martinthe5/17/2023

The 2022 Château de Fonbel was picked from 15 to 28 September and matured in 30% barrel, the rest in stainless steel. It has a lifted nose with a subtle oyster shell tincture, vibrant with a sorbet-like freshness. The palate is medium-bodied with a lightly spiced entry, modest depth, vanilla and cinnamon infusing the black fruit with a nicely detailed finish. Give this just a couple of years in bottle.

The Vintage Journal

93-94

byAndrew Caillard MWthe5/17/2023

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.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

90

byJane Ansonthe5/16/2023

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.

matthewjukes.com

17

byMatthew Jukesthe5/15/2023

The Wine Independent

92-94

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/15/2023

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!

Yvesbeck.wine

93-94

byYves Beckthe5/10/2023

D'entrée Fonbel affiche de la fraîcheur au travers de notes de menthe et de garrigues. Le fruit est bien représenté également avec des parfums de mûres. Friand et légèrement crémeux, le vin est déjà très bien calé. Les tannins veloutés et bien intégrés offrent un excellent support en compagnie d'une acidité rafraîchissante et structurante. Un vin délicieux, sapide, prêt à passer du temps en cave tout en étant accessible dans sa jeunesse.

Jeb DUNNUCK

90-92

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/10/2023

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.

Vinous

90-92

byAntonio Gallonithe5/9/2023

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

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93

byJeff Levethe5/5/2023

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.

Wine Advocate

89-91

byWilliam Kelleythe5/2/2023

Exhibiting aromas of plums, raspberries and cherries along with an attractive top note of violets, the 2022 Fonbel is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and taut, with youthfully chewy tannins and a long, penetrating finish.

Jamessuckling.com

92-93

byJames Sucklingthe4/19/2023

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.