Fonroque (BIO-ORGANIC) - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2020

Alexandre Ma

92

byAlexandre Mathe4/18/2023

Wine Advocate

92

byWilliam Kelleythe4/6/2023

Aromas of dusty berries, cherries, warm spices and petals introduce the 2020 Fonroque, a medium to full-bodied, supple and fleshy wine with a vibrant core of fruit, powdery tannins and a penetrating finish. As readers may remember, part of Fonroque's biodynamically farmed holdings are located on Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau, and the rest on the slopes, with more clay and colluvium.

Wine Spectator

91

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2023

Youthfully juicy and compact, with a bramble note wrapped around a core of black currant and fig preserves. The finish is coated with tobacco and tar accents, giving the distinct feel of a warm vintage wine. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2024 through 2034. 8,334 cases made, 600 cases imported.

Jeb DUNNUCK

91

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/30/2023

From a cooler, limestone terroir, the 2020 Château Fonroque has a darker ruby/plum hue as well as solid aromatics of ripe black cherries, dark chocolate, loamy earth, and leafy herbs. It's rich, mouth-filling, medium to full-bodied, and nicely balanced. Drink this plump, satisfying Saint-Emilion over the coming 15 years or so.

The Wine Cellar Insider

91

byJeff Levethe3/22/2023

Flowers, red pit fruits, licorice and a touch of volatile acidity, not enough to mar the wine, but it seems to be part of its character. On the palate, the wine is a bit better with all of its soft, fresh, sweet, ripe, silky red fruits and refined endnote. Drink from 2023-2038.

Alexandre Ma

92

byAlexandre Mathe3/15/2023

Wines Critic

93

byRaffaele Vecchionethe3/10/2023

Strong and structured on the nose showing notes of blackberries, cherries, mixed white flowers and cut cedar. Full bodied, smooth and deep in the sip showing structure and enveloping sensations of a velvety nature. Drink now or hold.

Vinous

92

byAntonio Gallonithe2/24/2023

The 2020 Fonroque is dark, rich and expansive. Gravel, incense, tobacco and dried herbs lend gorgeous aromatic nuance to a core of black cherry/plum fruit. This potent Saint-Émilion is full of character.

Vinous

90

byNeal Martinthe2/15/2023

I suggested/hoped that the 2020 Fonroque would display more finesse by the time of bottling, and it seems to have heard my words. With blackberry, briary and light sous-bois scents on the nose, this indeed conveys greater refinement. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly angular tannins, fresh and saline, with a dash of black pepper decorating the finish. A little Medocian in style with decent length, this should age well in bottle.

Jamessuckling.com

92

byJames Sucklingthe1/16/2023

This has aromas of iodine, musk, spice box and salted plums. Full-bodied, with creamy, soft tannins. Spicy and plush. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink from 2024.

Jeb DUNNUCK

91-93

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/28/2021

The 2020 Château Fonroque should be another classic, outstanding Saint-Emilion. Showing the vintage’s focus, length, pure style, it has terrific concentration, medium-bodied richness, and terrific notes of ripe black cherries, peppery herbs, and violets. I like its spine of acidity, the balance is spot on, and it’s one of those concentrated yet pure, focused 2020s that will benefit from just short-term bottle age yet keep for 15+ years.

Vinous

88-90

byNeal Martinthe5/27/2021

The 2020 Fonroque is initially tight and backward on the nose, a feature that I have noticed on a few recent samples, so this was given 40–50 minutes to open. It reveals quite intense black cherry, black currant and raspberry fruit, a faint hint of boot polish, and later figs and fresh dates. The palate is medium-bodied with polished tannins, sweet and plush, and quite heady toward the finish, which needs a little more refinement and freshness. I find this a bit dry on the aftertaste. Maybe it will gain more finesse during élevage.

Decanter.com

93

byJane Ansonthe5/25/2021

Subdued aromatics, this is attractive with raspberry flavours rippling through it and an appealing density, more old school and restrained than some, with classic balance. As it opens up, floral raspberry leaf appears in the best way, juicy and unfussy with crushed herbs and baked earth. Enjoyable, definitely not trying too hard and succeeding to charm. Certified biodynamic, Alain Moueix. A yield of 40hl/ha.

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93

byJeff Levethe5/21/2021

Dark in color, with a fruit packed nose, the wine is round, lush, supple, silky and fresh, finishing with ripe, sweet, plums, cocoa and a nice touch of minerality that lingers. 91-93

Wine Advocate

87-89

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/20/2021

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Fonroque gives up fragrant scents of potpourri, spice box and forest floor over a core of baked plums and boysenberries, plus a hint of anise. The medium-bodied palate has lovely freshness and soft, plush tannins, taking just a slight dip in the mid-palate and finishing a little abruptly.

Anthocyanes

93-95

byYohan Castaingthe5/11/2021

Superbe nez de fleurs, de violette et de cerise noire. Un peu fermé toutefois, il gagnerait à être encore plus charmeur et gourmand. Bouche droite, juteuse, serrée avec un beau grain fin et une sensation de toucher argileux (texture charnue) remarquable. Quelle fraicheur mentholée ! Belle bouteille qu'il faudra laisser vieillir quelques 8 à 15 ans au minimum.

Bernard Burtschy

94-96

byBernard Burtschythe5/10/2021

Falstaff

90-92

byPeter Moserthe5/10/2021

Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Ockerrandaufhellung. Zart tabakig, Nuancen von Velourleder, schwarze Kirschen, kräuterwürzige Note. Saftig, reife Kirschen, rotbeerige Nuancen, frisch strukturiert, runde Tannine, mineralisch im Abgang, salziger Nachhall.

My Bettane + Desseauve

94-95

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/7/2021

Insouciant de son élevage imperceptible, le fruit possède un côté joyeux qui convient admirablement à sa profondeur. Subtilité tannique volontaire qui propulse la bouche dans un grand élan frais. L’une des priorités absolues du millésime.

Jamessuckling.com

92-93

byJames Sucklingthe5/4/2021

A firm, silky red with really refined, polished tannins. Full-bodied, very tight and integrated. Long and vivid. Linear and creamy. From biodynamically grown grapes.