2019 Chateau Villars - Fronsac AC

Decanter.com – 91 pts – JA: *A touch of Cabernet Sauvignon in the largely Merlot-Cabernet Franc blend adds both spice and grip, and this is an impressive wine with an austere edge that fills out with liquorice and crushed stone in the mid palate. Seventh generation of the family at Château Villars owned by trained oenologist Thierry Gaudrie, producing consistently good quality wines.* - 05/

Falstaff Magazin – 90 pts – PM: *Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Ockerrandaufhellung. Kandierte Orangenzesten, etwas Nougat, rotbeeriger Touch unterlegt, ein Hauch von Kräuterwürze. Mittlere Komplexität, rote Kirschen, integrierte Tannine, salziger Touch im Abgang, bereits antrinkbar, bietet unkomplziertes Trinkvergnügen.* - 02/2022

Vinum Magazin – 16/20 pts: * Zuerst leicht reduktiv, dann Lakritzenoten und rote Beeren; geradlinig, kompakt und dicht, Tannin mit Schliff, das gut das sehr feurige Finale ausbalanciert.*

Thewinecellarinsider.com – 90 pts – JL: *Soft, supple-textured, medium-bodied, cocoa and infused, red pit fruit packed wine with a savory edge. The finish is marked by green olives and herbs in the end note. You can enjoy this easily on release. Drink from 2022-2031.* - 03/2022

JancisRobinson.com – 16/20pts – JR: *Mid crimson. Pale rim. Rich, somehow smooth nose. Remarkable freshness on the palate initially followed by very marked tannin and a little bit of heat evident on the finish but great tension. Still very youthful but it should mellow into something pleasing.* - 12/2021

JamesSuckling.com - 92-93pts - JS: *A firm, compact young red with blackcurrant, walnut and chocolate character. It´s medium-bodied with a tight mouthfeel of ripe, chewy tannins. Pretty polish and structure for this appellation.* - 08/2020

Vinous.com – 88 pts – AG: *The 2019 Villars is packed with blueberry jam, licorice, violet, spice and chocolate. Drink this racy, forward Fronsac over the next few years. The only thing missing here is maybe a bit more mid-palate creaminess.* - 02/2022