Fontenil - Fronsac 2022

Alexandre Ma

91

byAlexandre Mathe3/10/2025

Although the 2022 vintage of Château Fontenil still carries prominent notes of tar and roasted aromas, a gentle swirl of the glass reveals its delicate violet fragrance. Compared to other clay-limestone Fronsacs, this wine offers a richer, softer, and more velvety texture, with a finish graced by Merlot’s signature “sweetness.” If the tannins can retain their softness as it ages, this wine is bound to win over a broad audience of wine consumers.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

92

byJane Ansonthe3/7/2025

Saline grip and mouth-watering lemongrass and redcurrant acidities, combined with the natural power of the estate that is always striking, well handled and coupled with fleshy and grilled black fruits that are allowed to speak. A good vintage here. 26hl/h yield, 30% new oak for ageing, 10ha of vines, clay limestone soils, Dany and Michel Rolland's home estate in Fronsac.

The Wine Cellar Insider

95

byJeff Levethe3/4/2025

Fontenil, Château

Jeb DUNNUCK

94

byJeb Dunnuckthe2/28/2025

Due to a devastating hailstorm, no Delfi will be produced this vintage, and yields are minuscule. However, the 2022 Château Fontenil from this remarkable winemaker is well worth seeking out. Loads of cassis, ripe black cherries, spicy wood, and savory, incense-like notes all define the aromatics, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a broad, layered mouthfeel, sweet tannins, and a gorgeous finish. All Merlot that was raised 18 months in just 30% new oak, this fabulous Fronsac can be enjoyed any time over the coming two decades or more. The 2022 hit 14% alcohol with a great pH of 3.68.

Yvesbeck.wine

94

byYves Beckthe2/25/2025

Nuances de torréfaction, de liqueur de café, de baies noires et de menthe dans le bouquet de Fontenil 2022. Dense et crémeux en attaque, le vin est charmant, invitant et porté par des tannins suaves, charnus qui assurent ampleur et potentiel, tandis qu'une acidité structurante et incisive agit en coulisse. Un Fontenil enthousiasmant, élégant et entraînant. 2027-2040 94/100

Vinous

92

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2025

The 2022 Fontenil offers a detailed fresh bouquet that's initially understated but opens with aeration to reveal marine-influenced scents of rose petal and Earl Grey. The palate is well balanced with fine-boned tannins. It's fresh and quite classic in style with an off-dry finish. This is the kind of Fronsac I can imagine polishing off in no time at all, yet it has the substance to age well. This is very fine.

Jamessuckling.com

93

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2025

This firm and polished red has notes of dark chocolate, cedar, dark cherries and rosemary. It’s full-bodied, compact and framed, but creamy, too. Elegant cedar notes. Drink from 2027.

Vinous

93

byAntonio Gallonithe1/28/2025

The 2022 Fontenil is a racy, polished wine. Crushed flowers, blue-toned fruit, licorice, cloves and lavender are all beautifully delineated. Medium in body, the 2022 offers a striking mix of creamy texture and energy. Floral top notes brighten the persistent, articulate finish. This is beautifully done.

Decanter.com

92

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/25/2023

Richly concentrated nose full of perfumed bramble fruits and wild flower scents. Full-bodied, deep and supple on the palate but it walks the path between lean and plush, giving a balanced overall weight and density. Cool blue fruits are joined by crushed stones giving refreshing elements while the sticky liquorice, dark chocolate and clove spice edge the finish. Well constructed, a little tense still and just constricting some of the easy enjoyment at this stage but lots of promise for future drinking pleasure. Harvest 8-17 September. Ageing in French oak, 30% new. Rolland & Associés consultants.

Vinous

90-92

byNeal Martinthe5/17/2023

The 2022 Fontenil has a "cool" bouquet with blackberry, undergrowth and light marine aromas. This seems to shrug off the warmth of the growing season. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity and rounded in texture with a touch of Left Bank graphite arming the finish. Give this two to three years once in bottle. Classy.

Terres de Vins

93-94

byMathieu Doumengethe5/16/2023

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

92

byJane Ansonthe5/16/2023

Coffee bean and smoke on the first nose, beautiful deep ruby colour, plenty of limestone fingerprinting coming through, giving a mouthwatering lemongrass edge that helps balance out the dominating spice, tobacco and grilled red fruits. 30% new oak, home estate of Dany Rolland. Plenty of estate signature, a definite crowd pleaser.

The Wine Independent

92-94

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/15/2023

The 2022 Fontenil is deep garnet-purple in color. After a swirl or two, evocative notes of baked black plums, boysenberry preserves, and dark chocolate-covered cherries erupt from the nose, followed by nuances of menthol and crushed rocks. The full-bodied palate is built like a brick house, with very firm, grainy tannins and soft acidity supporting the dense, muscular fruit, finishing long. Note that no Defi was produced this year due to some hail damage in June.

Yvesbeck.wine

92-94

byYves Beckthe5/10/2023

Le bouquet de Fontenil révèle bien l'élevage du vin au travers de nuances de torréfaction complétées par des notes crayeuses, des fruits frais, du chocolat et une touche de garrigues. Fin, mais puissant, le vin est parfaitement soutenu par des tannins qui serrent encore un peu, mais qui harmonisent avec la structure acide. Cette dernière confère une fraîcheur bienvenue. Finale fruitée, de bonne persistance.

Bettane & Desseauve

93-94

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/10/2023

Tannin à la fois ferme et soyeux avec une intensité d’excellente facture. Beau potentiel pour ce vin d’une grande sensualité qui s’affirme pleinement.

Jeb DUNNUCK

92-94

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/10/2023

The 2022 Château Fontenil is a beauty, and as with the Castillon region, Fronsac has some true gems that compete with the top wines. Black cherries, currants, spicy oak, and graphite all emerge from the glass, and this is full-bodied, with a layered, concentrated texture and ripe tannins. It's going to need 3-5 years of bottle age, but this brilliant 2022 is well worth seeking out.

Vinous

90-92

byAntonio Gallonithe5/9/2023

The 2022 Fontenil is a deep, massively structured Fronsac from Dany Rolland. In most vintages, Fontenil is more opulent, but in this tasting it is its structure and tannin that dominates. I imagine the fruit will emerge with élevage, but that will take some time. Drinking window : 2025-2037

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93

byJeff Levethe5/5/2023

Silky, soft, and fresh, the sweet, creamy, mineral-edged cherries and plums are long, lifted, supple and creamy. There is length, energy, complexity and a lot of pleasure here. You can enjoy this on release for its fruit and freshness, or age it for more complexity and mineral essences. Either way, this is going to be delicious! Drink from 2025-2040.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94

byJames Sucklingthe4/19/2023

Blackberry, hazelnut and tar aromas and flavors follow through to a medium body, with firm and savory tannins that run the length of the wine. Savory finish. Excellent structure.