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Fonbel 2005

St Emilion, Grand Cru

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Tasting Notes

Good deep red. A red berry fruit bomb on the nose and palate, with a complicating gamey element. Broad and creamy-sweet wine with nicely integrated acidity. Finishes with firm, toothdusting tannins. More stuffing here than the 2007.

Score: 89

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2008

A sleeper of the vintage, Ausone’s proprietor, Alain Vauthier, produces this beautiful St.-Emilion. It possesses a sumptuous bouquet of crushed rocks, incense, raspberries, boysenberries, and a touch of cherries. Some earthiness intrudes on the palate, but it adds complexity and nuance rather than detracting from the wine’s beautiful fruit. Medium to full-bodied, with admirable elegance and purity as well as ripe tannin, this beauty can be enjoyed over the next 15+ years.

Score: 90

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2008-2023 30 April 2008

Owned by perfectionist Alain Vauthier (also the proprietor of Ausone), this brilliant sleeper of the vintage exhibits a dense ruby/purple color along with scents of crushed rocks, flowers, raspberries, blueberries, and licorice. Precise, medium-bodied, quintessentially elegant, flavorful, and broad, it should be one of the more accessible 2005s, and drink well for 10-15 years.

Score: 89 - 91

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2007-2022 30 April 2007

Alain Vauthier, who owns this small estate, has been ratcheting up the level of quality at Fonbel just as he has at his more well-known properties, Ausone and Moulin St.-Georges. The 2005 Fonbel offers an inky/purple color, sweet aromas of flowers, crushed rocks, blueberries, and cassis, a full-bodied palate, and loads of extract, glycerin, and sweet tannin. Approachable by the standards of this vintage, it should drink well upon release, and last for 12-15 years. A sleeper!

Score: 90 - 92

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 April 2006

Very very deep. Opulent, super-rich fruit. Then fine-boned. Lots of acidity. Very youthful - masses of fine tannin - wait for ages. (16+)

Score: 16

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2013-2025 19 April 2006

Has subtle violet and blackberry aromas, with a hint of ripe plum. Full- to medium-bodied, with pretty tannins and a fruity, subtle finish. There's lots of Indian spices as well. Refined. Best after 2010. 10,000 cases made.

Score: -

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2010+ 01 January 1900