The 2018 Château Fontenil is a beautiful wine that readers will be happy to have in their cellar. Coming from the home estate of Michel and Danny Rolland in Fronsac, it offers a saturated ruby/purple hue as well as terrific Pomerol-like aromas and flavors of cassis, damp earth, violets, and cedary spice. Flawlessly balanced, medium-bodied, with background oak as well as chalky minerality, it's already hard to resist yet has another 10-15 years of prime drinking ahead of it. It's a hidden gem in the vintage.
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Fontenil hits the ground running with vivacious notes of baked black plums, stewed black cherries and black raspberry preserves, followed by hints of molten licorice, ground cloves and sandalwood. The rich, full-bodied palate is jam-packed with black fruit preserves and exotic spice accents, framed by plush tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and perfumed.
Blueberry and raspberry notes with wood and earthy undertones. It is full-bodied with nice acidity and intense, creamy tannins. Beautiful, clean finish. Still tight, as it should be.
The 2018 Fontenil is even better from bottle than it was from barrel. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, licorice, menthol and spice flesh out as this supple, exuberant Fronsac shows off its curves. Touches of new French oak and blood orange add the closing shades of nuance.
Antonio Galloni
