Chateau de Fonbel Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2020 1.5Ltr

The 2020 Château De Fonbel is based on 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Carmenère, coming from more sandy, gravelly soils. This deep ruby-hued effort offers a terrific bouquet of red and black currants, leafy tobacco, sandalwood, and graphite, and it’s medium to full-bodied, has a supple, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. It’s surprisingly accessible yet is going to have 15 years of prime drinking, possibly more.

• Country: France
• Region: Bordeaux
• Appellation: Saint Emilion
• Size: 1.5Ltr
• Color: Red
• Alcohol by Vol: 13.5%

Varietal

Red Bordeaux

There are few regions in the world with stricter regulations in regards to wine production and grape varietals than those found in Bordeaux, France. Here, in the home of the world’s finest wines, the type and quality of grapes used is of utmost importance, and the legendary wineries which work on the banks of the Gironde river have mastered the careful art of juice blending to find the perfect balance for their produce. Whilst there are six ‘official’ Bordeaux grapes, the two key varietals for almost every fine Bordeaux wine are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and with good reason. Whilst Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are renowned for their acidity and astringency, strong fruit and spice flavors and full body, Merlot grapes are notably rounded, soft, fleshy and lighter on tannin. The combination of these two varietals, along with a small percentage of (commonly) Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc, is the perfect balancing act ”“ the two grape varietals cancel out each others weaker points, and accentuate all that is good about the other.