Chateau Fonplegade 2017

Château Fonplégade Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2017

Grapes: 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, organic, 19ha vineyard with 27 separate parcels on limestone/clay soils, 25 year average vine age, hand harvested, native yeast fermentation, matured in French oak barrels for 16-20 months (40% new, 30% one year, 10% concrete eggs, 10% amphoras)

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"Floral in nature, you\'ll also find licorice, spice box, sandalwood and plummy aromatics on the nose. On the palate, the wine is fresh with an intense mineral character. Once past the rocks and stones, the red fruits are sweet, bright, quite fresh and finesse driven. The finish is long with ripe, salty, red berries and plenty of verve. Made from a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.45. The harvest took place September 13 to September 29."

94/100 points, Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider, April 2018

"Tangy, intense black berry confit with a delicate floral background, fresh orange zest, mineral touch. Juicy, red cherries, firm tannins, elegant and well adhering, lively structure, has certain ageing potential."

91/100 points, Peter Moser, FALSTAFF (Austria), May 2018

The impressive 18.5ha property, situated close to the famous Château Angelus, belongs to American Denise Adams who, with the advice of Michel Rolland and Stéphane Derenoncourt are now producing one of the best value for money Grand Cru Classe in St.Emilion. The investment in this château has born outstanding results.