Fonroque (BIO-ORGANIC) - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2023

Vinous

91

byNeal Martinthe2/1/2026

The 2023 Fonroque has a slightly smudged bouquet, dark berry fruit, touches of graphite and undergrowth. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, well-judged acidity, relatively open-knit in style with a fluid, agreeable finish. This should drink well after just a couple of years in bottle.

Jamessuckling.com

93

byJames Sucklingthe1/27/2026

Licorice, dark berries, wet chalk and ripe blackberries on the nose. Full-bodied with round tannins. Concentrated, intense and precise, with defined dark fruit. 87% merlot and 13% cabernet franc. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

Yvesbeck.wine

94-96

byYves Beckthe5/14/2024

Das Bouquet von Fonroque verbindet gekonnt blumige, fruchtige Nuancen und Reifung mit krautigen Noten und so entsteht eine sehr überzeugende Symbiose! Die in der Nase angekündigte Frische ist am Gaumen allgegenwärtig, gleich im Auftakt. Der Wein ist saftig, linear und wird von bestens eingebundenen Tanninen unterstützt, während die strukturierende Säure eine energetische und prägnante Facette bietet. Ein Wein von großer Schönheit!

Jeb DUNNUCK

89-92

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/13/2024

The 2023 Château Fonroque is based on 87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc. It's a solid effort, with a saturated purple hue as well as attractive aromatics of black raspberries, spring flowers, and spicy oak, with a kiss of chalky minerality in the background. This nicely concentrated, medium-bodied, balanced Saint-Emilion has ripe tannins, the ripe yet juicy style of the vintage, and a great finish. This pure, correct, workhorse styled effort has plenty to like, and it should easily be outstanding.

The Drinks Business

92-94

byColin Haythe5/7/2024

Fonroque (St Emilion; 87% Merlot; 13% Cabernet Franc; a final yield of 50 hl/ha; tasted at the Association des Grands Crus Classés at Dassault). A little closed and introspective, but dominated aromatically by dark berry fruits, notably black currant with a little blueberry. There’s a lovely trace of violet here too – very subtle. Very pretty, very vivid and very fresh. Dense, compact and layered – impressively so for a wine so finely-grained in its tannic structure and so pure and limpid in its mouthfeel. Excellent. 

The Wine Cellar Insider

89-91

byJeff Levethe5/6/2024

Licorice, black cherries, and espresso blend in the nose, and on the medium-bodied, round, chewy, chocolatey, palate. There is a dryness to the finish, so allow it a bit of time for it to develop more softness, and it could be a better wine. Drink from 2027-2038. 89-91 Pts.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

91

byJane Ansonthe5/6/2024

Medium intensity ruby red, plenty of ripe raspberry and red cherry fruits on the nose, not as inky as some, with more nuance and florality among the fruits, violet edging, bitter anis on the finnish, this is charming, with balance. 31% new barrels, 25% barrels that have contained at least one previous wine, 20% foudre, 18% amphora and 6% concrete tank.

Vinous

90-92

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2024

The 2023 Fonroque has a tad more opulence on the nose compared to some of its peers, though it might have shaved away some of its definition in the process. The palate is medium-bodied with a little chewiness on the entry. Crisp toward the finish, with mainly red fruit laced with graphite and crushed stone, this Saint-Émilion improves as it goes on. I will give it the benefit of the doubt and hope that the aromatics gain a little more clarity.

Falstaff

93

byPeter Moserthe4/29/2024

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, brightening on the rim. Delicately herbal and savoury, black forest berries, a hint of liquorice, dark cherries, mineral touch. Juicy, elegant, freshly structured, spicy tannins, some nougat in the finish, has cer- tain ageing potential.

Alexandre Ma

92-93

byAlexandre Mathe4/28/2024

Wine Advocate

91-93

byWilliam Kelleythe4/26/2024

The 2023 Fonroque offers up aromas of sweet cherries, dark berries and licorice, framed by a deft touch of new wood. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and supple, with a velvety attack that segues into a taut, mineral finish that's typical of this terroir, it's another strong performance from this biodynamically farmed 17-hectare estate on the western extreme of Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau.

Jamessuckling.com

92-93

byJames Sucklingthe4/25/2024

This shows good concentration and focus, with notes of ripe dark berries and walnuts, as well as a hint of chocolate. It’s medium-bodied with velvety tannins that are nicely spread across the palate. Lingering finish.

Vertdevin

93-94

byJonathan Chicheportichethe4/24/2024