Intense ruby with bold purplish tints. On the nose, floral hints, blackberry and cherry aromatic scents, lightly spiced by the
subtle presence of fresh citrus. On the palate, powerful attack with a silky and fresh mouthfeel. Generous tannins are
supported by a light and graceful mineral and salt finale.
Blend: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
95 James Suckling Plums, dark cherries, blueberries, cedar, amber, dried herbs and baking spices on the nose. Full-bodied with plush tannins. Structured, balanced and intense. It has a polished, rich core of dark and blue fruit and a long, flavorful finish. Wait for the oak spice to integrate.
95 Decanter Gorgeous aromatics include cherry, aniseed and menthol freshness, in a medium-bodied palate evoking Burgundian refinement. There is a whiff of oak in the initial, powerful attack, but then the wine broadly coats the palate with violet, plum, cherry and lead pencil aspects, exhibiting fresh notes in its vinous palate. A long finish. Clearly of high calibre.
94 Jeb Dunnuck From a great terroir on the south-facing hillside just outside of the village, the 2019 Château Fonplégade has pretty notes of ripe black cherries, cassis, spring flowers, sandalwood, and classy oak. I love the nose, and while it's still young and relatively unevolved, it already has hints of complexity and nuance, and the purity is spot on. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a great mid-palate and sweet, velvety tannins, it already offers pleasure yet will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age, and I'd be shocked if it didn't evolve nicely for at least 15-20 years.
93 Wine Enthusiast This is a rich and dense wine that shows the ripeness of the fruit of this vintage. It has structure to back up the ripe berry flavors, while the intense acidity promises aging over the long-term. Barrel Sample: 91-93
92 Wine Spectator Shows the thickly textured dark fruit of the vintage, with steeped plum and blackberry notes cruising through slowly, carried by alder, loam and tobacco threads. Gains nuance as it airs in the glass, showing light chalky minerality for energy and balance in the process. Approachable but no rush. Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
91 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Aromas of ripe cherries, licorice, crème de cassis, burning embers and loamy soil introduce the 2019 Fonplegade, a medium to full-bodied, muscular wine that's rich and powerful, reflecting its clay-rich soils. It's a fleshy, generous wine that represents a fine success in a more impactful style.