2020 Chateau Fonplegade - St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe

Decanter.com -95pts - JA: *Beautiful aromatics, vibrant, full of clarity and bright fruit delivery. Plum, blueberry, bursting with juicy life. Keeps delivering on the palate also, sprightly and vibrant, and soaked in limestone, wet stone personality. Has good depth of flavour, with a kick on the finish. Will age well, this is great stuff, a brilliant example of St-Emilion limestone. A buy! First year certified biodynamic with Biodyvin (certified organic since 2013). A yield of 35hl/ha.* - 04/2021

Falstaff Magazin – (91-93) pts – PM: *Dunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, breiterer Ockerrand. Deutliche Kräuternote, ein floraler Hauch von Fresien, dunkle Beeren, reife Pflaumen, mineralischer Touch. Mittlere Komplexität, frische Kirschen, eingebundene Tannine, feine Fruchtsüße im Abgang, ein vielseitiger, frischer Speisenbegleiter.* - 05/2021

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 93-95 pts - LPB: *Deep purple-black colored, the 2020 Fonplegade offers up notes of chocolate-covered cherries, mulberries and blackberry preserves, followed by hints of smoked meats, cinnamon toast and potpourri. The medium to full-bodied palate bursts with juicy black fruits, supported by velvety tannins and well-balanced acidity, finishing long and fragrant.* 04/2021

Vinum Magazin – 16/20 pts: *Gutes aromatisches Potential, fruchtig und leicht vom Holz geprägt; kräftiger Auftakt, von klassischem, festen Bau, Tannin mit spürbarem Korn, ideale Länge.*

WeinWisser – 18/20pts - WL: *Tiefes Purpur mit opaker Mitte und zartem lila Rand. Verhaltener Beginn, zarte Reduktion spürbar (BIO), Heidelbeere, Holundergelee und Lakritze, dahinter Veilchenparfüm, Milchschokolade und schwarze Johannisbeerdrops. Am vielschichtigen Gaumen mit cremiger Textur, herrlicher Extraktfülle, engmaschigem Tanningerüst und muskulösem Körper. Im konzentrierten Finale Wildkirsche, dunkle Mineralik und eine arrogante Bitterness, hier ist alles am richtigen Platz – Top Leistung dieses Jahr.* – 04/2021

JancisRobinson.com - 17/20pts - JR: *Bright but not that dense crimson. Interesting, minerally nose. Round and resolved already – dangerously evolved or just fun to drink? Not one of the most concentrated 2020 St-Émilions but very well integrated and balanced. Luscious fruit and no obvious excess of alcohol, tannin or acidity. Though a lot of tannin is lurking beneath that deceptively welcoming fruit… A hint of Marmite/yeast extract on the impressively long finish. Wholesome is not too much of an exaggeration.* - 04/2021

JamesSuckling.com - 93-94pts - JS: *A solid red with blackberry, blackcurrant and spice character. Medium body, firm and silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Nice depth of fruit and focus.* - 04/2021

Vinous.com - (92-94) pts - AG: *The 2020 Fonplégade is sensual, polished and understated. This mid-weight, silky Saint-Émilion has more finesse than power. All the elements are so nicely balanced. Crushed rose petal, mint, raspberry jam and mocha all grace the 2020. This is a very classy wine from Denise and Stephen Adams.* - 06/2021

Vinous.com – (91-93) pts – NM: *The 2020 Fonplégade has an intriguing bouquet that oddly made me think of Burgundy! Plush red berry fruit, vanilla, blueberry jam and touches of sous-bois burst from the glass, hints of blood orange and marmalade lingering in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, quite effervescent thanks to the keen line of acidity, and a little zesty toward the finish. This brims with nascent vigor and should drink well once in bottle, perhaps one that might offer much in its youth.* - 05/2021

The Wine Cellar Insider - 94-96pts - JL: *Crushed rocks, currants, cherries, flowers, licorice, smoke, cocoa and espresso covers all the bases inthe perfume. Elegant and edgy, silky, soft and mineral driven, the fruits show a beautiful purity, freshness and refinement on the palate, leaving you with salty tannins and sweet plums that continue to linger and expand in the finish. The wine is made from a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% *Cabernet Franc.* 04/2021