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.

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BIODYNAMIC