St. Emilion
SICCFSE
Region: France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion
Grape variety: Cabernet & Merlot
Background: Château Fonplégade's name (literally "fountain of plenty") was derived from the historic 13th century stone fountain that graces the estate's vineyard. It quenched the thirst of passing pilgrims for hundreds of years, and continues to provide sustenance to the estate's vines in the driest vintages. Grapevines have thrived at this exceptional site, perched on the limestone plateau that is home to Saint-Emilion's finest vineyards, since the late 1500s. In 1852, legendary wine merchant Jean-Pierre Beylot purchased the estate and built the elegant château that still stands on the property. Enchanted by the terroir, history and grandeur of the estate, with its ancient Roman pathways and graceful vine rows, Denise and Stephen Adams acquired Château Fonplégade in 2004 and spent 15 years tirelessly revitalizing the vineyards, renovating the cellar and lovingly restoring the château.
Tasting notes: Deep ruby colour with a generous nose of fresh red fruits and spice. Full-bodied, round mouthfeel supported by an elegant acidity (from the limestone terroir). Remarkable mineral focus.
SICHS
Region: France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion
Grape variety: Cabernet Franc (35%) & Merlot (65%)
Tasting notes: Ripe, sweet and fairly intense. Firm, grippy structure. A touch tighter and longer than stablemate Simard.
SICCA20
Region: France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion
Grape variety: Merlot (60%) & Cabernet Franc (40%)
Background: The Premier Cru Classe Château Angélus takes its name from the three church bells of the town of Saint-Émilion whose tolling has always been audible from the estate’s vineyards. This legendary property was founded in 1782 and, for 8 generations, the family de Boüard de Laforest has carefully guarded its exceptional legacy.
The Château Angélus vineyard is located in the heart of Saint-Émilion. The vines are planted in clay-sand-limestone soils.
Winemaking process: The high levels of rainfall during the winter and spring allowed the soils to build up a significant water reserve, which helped throughout the year to preserve the balance of the vineyard. The 2020 vintage stood out for both prolonged drought and for the capacity of the soils (clay and limestone) to provide perfect balance by drawing on water reserves. The summer conditions were ideal to ensure good ripeness and yield healthy, balanced grapes rich in polyphenols. Balanced and complete, 2020 is a perfect synthesis of its two illustrious predecessors, 2018 and 2019.
The vinifications were carried out in oak and stainless steel vats for the Merlot, and in concrete vats for the Cabernet Franc. A pre-fermentation maceration, carried out in certain vats according to the specificities of the grapes, was followed by an alcoholic fermentation and then a post-fermentation maceration of 1 to 3 weeks. The juice ran off was immediately transferred to barrel. Lasting 20 to 22 months, the ageing took place in new French oak barrels for the Merlot and certain Cabernet Franc batches. A specific ageing was carried out in 30 hl casks for the Cabernet Franc, which was selected for its aromatic richness.
The colour is shiny and beautifully dense, the wine displays a dark, almost black colour. Purple nuances testify to the perfect ripeness of the grapes. The nose is aromatic, the nose blends delicious fruity fragrances (black fruits, wild cherries, blackberries) with elegant floral notes (peony, violet).
The refined tannins display a round and voluptuous structure. Fresh and harmonious, the palate seduces with its extreme elegance and purity, exuding the precision of Merlot and the character of Cabernet Franc.
SICDAU
Region: France, Bordeau, Saint Emilion
Grape variety: Cabernet Franc (15%), Cabernet Sauvignon (8%) & Merlot (77%)
Background: The estate was once part of Château Angélus and is still owned by the same family.
Tasting notes: This wine is rich in opulent black fruits and solid tannins.
SICCVT
Region: France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion
Grape variety: Cabernet Franc & Merlot
Tasting notes: This wine presents the richness, elegance and classicism typical of Saint Emilion. The nose is a mixture of ripe fruit with toasty notes, vanilla and a hint of leather. The chewy attack supplied the Merlot is offset by fine vivacity which imparts freshness and a creamy texture. The persistent finish is borne along by taut tannins wrapped in generous extract. Very well-balanced wine, best drunk after a few years' cellaring.
SICFON19
Regioon: France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion
Grape variety: Merlot & Cabernet Franc
Background: Folks have been making wine at Fonplegade – perched on the limestone that is home to Saint-Emilion’s finest vineyards – since the 16th century. And although the Chateau was included in the original 1955 classification of Grand Cru status, quality has shot even further upward since the estate was acquired by Denise and Stephen Adams in 2004. Their changes have been pioneering. First and foremost, they led the charge to handle the vineyards via biodynamic principles – the ultra-level beyond organic farming that has caught on through much of the wine world though is not as common in Bordeaux.
Tasting notes
ORGANIC
BIODYNAMIC
SICFDF17
Region: France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion
Grape variety: Merlot & Cabernet Franc
Background: Folks have been making wine at Fonplegade – perched on the limestone that is home to Saint-Emilion’s finest vineyards – since the 16th century. And although the Chateau was included in the original 1955 classification of Grand Cru status, quality has shot even further upward since the estate was acquired by Denise and Stephen Adams in 2004. Their changes have been pioneering. First and foremost, they led the charge to handle the vineyards via biodynamic principles – the ultra-level beyond organic farming that has caught on through much of the wine world though is not as common in Bordeaux.
Tasting notes: Generous black fruits and mineral notes. Rich and big on the palate with velvety and sweet tannins. Great length.
Reviews
94/100 Points, VertdeVin: The nose is fleshy, gourmand and offers a fine richness as well as a fine freshness/concentration. It reveals notes of boysenberry, fleshy raspberry and more slightly crushed cassis associated with touches of liquorice stick, lilac, chocolate and spices. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a beautiful precision, a beautiful minerality, a good freshness, finesse, precision as well as gourmandize. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy blackberry, fleshy raspberry and more slightly cassis cream associated with touches of red berries, vanilla, chocolate/tonka bean, subtle touches of sweet spices as well as fine hints of mild tobacco, caramelization and an imperceptible hint of lilac/lily (in the background). Tannins are slightly firm.
Vinous 94 - Robert Parker 93 - Decant 92: Medium-bodied, the palate is soft-spoken and elegantly played with soft, well-managed tannins and lovely freshness, finishing earthy.
93-95 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate # 236, April 2018: The deep garnet-purple coloured 2017 Fonplegade has quite a spicy nose sporting notes of anise, cloves, fenugreek and black pepper over a core of warm black plums and blackberries plus a waft of potpourri. Medium-bodied with a rock-solid frame of grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, it features bags of vibrant black fruits and a long, spicy finish.
ORGANIC
BIODYNAMIC
SICFON18
Region: France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion
Grape variety: Merlot & Cabernet Franc
Background: Folks have been making wine at Fonplegade – perched on the limestone that is home to Saint-Emilion’s finest vineyards – since the 16th century. And although the Chateau was included in the original 1955 classification of Grand Cru status, quality has shot even further upward since the estate was acquired by Denise and Stephen Adams in 2004. Their changes have been pioneering. First and foremost, they led the charge to handle the vineyards via biodynamic principles – the ultra-level beyond organic farming that has caught on through much of the wine world though is not as common in Bordeaux.
Tasting notes: This well-balanced wine is ripe, with dense black fruits shot through with age worthy tannins. Poised and already offering fruitiness and ripeness built for long-term aging, this wine will be ready from 2026.
ORGANIC
BIODYNAMIC
SICDE21
Region: France, AOC Saint-Emilion
Grape variety: 80% Merlot - 20% Cabernet Franc
Tasting notes:
Adorned with a sumptuous deep burgundy color, this wine releases aromas of intense black fruits, a light woodiness and vanilla nuances. This palette of beautiful complexity is found on the palate. The round mouthfeel is full-bodied and offers a smooth attack.
It opens with aromas of fresh fruit relayed by promising tannins. A beautiful vintage, produced with passion on this black Merlot vineyard, which reflects the quality of the work in the vineyard and in the cellar. This 2021 presents all the richness, elegance and classicism of Saint Emilion.
Food pairing: It will go wonderfully on meat in sauce as well as on a nice piece of grilled beef.