Wijnen

De magische helling van kalk en klei waarop Fonplégade zich nestelt brengt een zekere salinité aan zijn bewaarwijnen. Geen vorst hier! De 2017 is diepdonker, fijn en fris. Het evenwicht is voortreffelijk. De tension, die spanning die grote wijnen onderspant, verleent aan deze Grand Cru Classé sensoriële longueur en raffinement. Het team aangesteld door Denise en Stephen Adams werkt samen met Stéphane Derenoncourt en de wijngaard is bio-gecertifieerd. Stilistisch vertonen de 18,5 hectare van Fonplégade meerdere gelijkenissen met buren Angélus en Canon la Gaffelière en vooral Pavie en Pavie Macquin waarmee het de topografie deelt. Ook al is Fonplégade een gereputeerde naam, vertaalt het nieuwe kwaliteit zich nog niet in een hogere prijs. Hopelijk blijft dat zo.

IN DE PERS

92-94 Neal Martin – vinous.com (Mei 2018)
The 2017 Fonplégade has a very classy bouquet with very pure blackberry and raspberry fruit, hints of cassis developing with aeration. The fruit is very well knitted with the oak. The palate is well balanced with fine tannin, crisp acidity, superb structure and delivers a really detailed and convincing finish. Bravo. This is an outstanding Saint-Émilion.

94 Antonio Galloni – vinous.com (Maart 2020)
The 2017 Fonplégade is classy, polished and simply impeccable in its balance. The Fonplégade is not a huge wine, but it has really gained in finesse over the course of its aging. Sweet red cherry, pomegranate, blood orange, mint and cinnamon add character to this racy, silky, exceptionally polished Saint-Émilion. Floral overtones add brightness to the finish. Drink 2024-2037.

91-94 Antonio Galloni – vinous.com (Mei 2018)
The 2017 Fonplegade is terrific. Bold, juicy and powerful, the 2017 possesses superb balance and overall harmony. There is a real sense of centeredness in this supple, exquisite Saint-Émilion. Inky dark fruit, lavender, mint, crème de cassis and spice all flesh out in this voluptuous, racy Fonplegade from Stephen and Denise Adams. The 2017 is exquisite, refined and beautiful.

92 Jane Anson – decanter.com (April 2018)

93+ Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW – robertparker.com (Maart 2020)
Blended of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Fonplegade rolls out of the glass with pronounced notes of plum preserves, baked black cherries and mulberries plus hints of damp soil, cedar chest, new leather and fried herbs. Medium-bodied, the palate is soft-spoken and elegantly played with soft, well-managed tannins and lovely freshness, finishing earthy. Drink 2023-2040.

93-95 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW – robertparker.com (April 2018)
The deep garnet-purple colored 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.

92-93 James Suckling – jamessuckling.com (Maart 2018)
This shows a very pretty center palate with blueberries, blackberries and white pepper. Solid tannins and structure. Long and flavorful.

90-92 Jeb Dunnuck – jebdunnuck.com (April 2018)
The 2017 Château Fonplegade is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc from a beautiful terroir not far from Pavie. It showed some aggressive tannins, but I suspect they’ll soften and round out during the élevage. The color is deep purple, and it offers a terrific bouquet of cassis and currant fruits, licorice and graphite. Medium-bodied, with nicely integrated oak, a touch of minerality, and solid overall balance, it has plenty of length and oomph on the finish. I suspect 2-3 years of bottle age will be warranted and it will drink nicely for a decade or more.

90-93 James Molesworth – winespectator.com (Maart 2018)

18/20 Bernard Burtschy – Le Figaro (April 2018)
La robe est très sombre, impressionnante. Joli nez très fin de ronce de mûre. Le vin est très élégant, long, fin, d’une grande persistance, la finale est éblouissante. Une immense réussite. Le plus grand depuis des lustres. Au niveau d’un premier cru. 90 % de merlot, 10 % de cabernet franc. Certifié bio depuis 2013. 5-15 ans.

Fonplégade