Château Fontenil - Fronsac 2018

Vinous

91-93 / 100

byNeal Martinthe11/15/2019

The 2018 Fontenil has a wonderful nose, the best I have encountered from barrel, featuring pure red cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry scents that immediately seduce the senses. The palate is very well balanced with fine tannins, the 35% new oak nicely integrated, and quite a structured finish. I suspect this is just beginning to close up for a period, but it is a very fine Fontenil that will age well in bottle.

Jeb DUNNUCK

91-93 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/1/2019

From the home estate of Michel and Danny Rolland, the 2018 Château Fontenil reveals a deep, saturated purple color as well as a great perfume of blue fruits, wild flowers, spicy oak, and hints of potpourri. Ripe, sexy, yet with good freshness and purity, it's a classic 2018 that's going to drink well in its youth but also evolve beautifully for 7-8 years or more.

Vinifera

90 /

byJacques Perrinthe5/1/2019

Nez boisé. Corps bien sculpté, à la trame serrée. La bouche est dynamique et dotée d'une belle énergie. 

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/23/2019

The nose pops with flowers, crushed rock, cherries and licorice without being asked. On the palate, the wine is concentrated with layers of ripe, fleshy, sweet black raspberries, licorice and plums. Complex on the nose and palate, there is the perfect amount of lift giving all the layers of fruit life. The is a new level of quality for Fontenil.

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/23/2019

Deep purple-black in color, the 2018 Fontenil struts out of the glass with confident black plum preserves, black cherries and mulberries scents plus suggestions of underbrush, Indian spices, violets and mossy bark. Full-bodied, rich and decadently fruited, it has a solid, plush frame and loads of freshness, finishing long and perfumed.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/12/2019

This is so tight and polished with a degree of depth and beauty I have not seen for a while. Medium body and beautiful, silky tannins that buttress the lovely, focused fruit.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

93 / 100

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/8/2019

Wine Spectator

90-93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2019

Solid, with raspberry and plum compote notes, allied to a good chalky spine. Reveals a nice tobacco hint on the finish.