Glorious discovery of Château Fontenil with Dany Rolland

I have tasted Château Fontenil during primeur for more than a decade, but I have rarely seen them in bottle, and even rarer tasted them. Boy was I in for a treat! On a relatively misty morning I turned up at Fontenil and I did not expect anything near this amazing lineup. I am a big fan of Fronsac, these wines are so undervalued, and here we are, another big tasting confirming that exact same thing. Gorgeous wines. 

What are you waiting for? And yes, you can still get some of the odler vintages from the estate. 

2022 Château Fontenil

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, fruit driven, blueberries nose, detailed, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit forward, intense, long. 93

 

2020 Château Fontenil

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, fruit forward, detailed, nuanced, spices, liquorice, layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, blackberries, dark fruits, intense, energetic, somewhat saline finish. Lovely 94

 

2019 Château Fontenil

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, fruit forward nose, scented and lifted nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red and dark fruits, detailed, nuanced, energetic, fruit forward, long. 94

 

2018 Château Fontenil

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, detailed, juicy, lively for the vintage, long. 93

 

2017 Château Fontenil

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, anise, spices, fruit forward, detailed and layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, minerals, detailed, starting figs and dates, long finish. 92

 

2016 Château Fontenil

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, blueberries, fruit forward, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, spices, dark fruits, liquorice, firmer, tighter finish. 93

 

2015 Château Fontenil

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, nuanced, fruit forward nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, red fruits, detailed, energetic, saline, juicy, wonderful body, long. 94

 

2014 Château Fontenil

Ruby, thin garnet rim. Blackberries, dark fruits, nuanced, detailed, minerals, scented nose, lifted. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, detailed, minerals, nuanced, juicy, playful, minerals, long. 93

 

2012 Château Fontenil

Ruby, thin garnet rim. Scented, blackberries, fruit forward, detailed, elegant and nuanced nose. Floral high notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, detailed, nuanced, minerals, red berries, detailed, somewhat lighter body, long finish. 92

 

2011 Château Fontenil

Ruby, thin garnet rim. Figs, dates, tobacco, maturing nose, dark fruits, bit more evolved bottle. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, figs, dates, juicy, blackberries, leaner finish. 91

 

2010 Château Fontenil

Ruby, thin garnet rim. Figs, dates, lifted, fruit driven, nuanced, layered, minerals, bright nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, detailed, nuanced, juicy, blackberries, detailed, minerals, saline, drinking superbly now, gorgeous. 94

 

2020 Le Defi de Fontenil

Ruby. Around 3200 bottles made. Dark fruits, liquorice, blueberries, fruit forward nose, layered nose. Fresh acidity, silky texture, blackberries, fruit forward, layered, and intense, nuanced, almost creamy texture, long.95

 

2019 Le Defi de Fontenil

Ruby. Around 2800 bottles made. Blackberries, blueberries, fruit driven, nuanced, intense, fruit forward nose.Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, nuanced, layered, fruit forward, long finish. 95

 

2018 Le Defi de Fontenil

Ruby. Around 2600 bottles made. Cassis, blackberries, blueberries, nuanced, minerals even if rich, layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, lifted, juicy, detailed, minerals, nuanced, hides the alcohol very well. 95

 

2016 Le Defi de Fontenil

Ruby. Around 4200 bottles made. Intense, dark fruits, blackberries, fruit forward, layered nose, made from Merlot at 60-70 years old. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, liquorice, juicy, nuanced, bright, intense, layered, minerals, saline, layered and gorgeous. 96

 

2015 Le Defi de Fontenil

Ruby. Around 3500 bottles made. Dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, fruit forward, intense and layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, detailed, minerals, saline, layered, intense and long. Gorgeous. 95

 

2010 Le Defi de Fontenil

Ruby, thin garnet rim. 4200 bottles and 300 magnums made. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit forward and detailed nose, intense. Tobacco and figs. Gorgeous nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, firm texture, layered, intense and deep, this will soldier on for a long time still, long finish. 96

 

2009 Le Defi de Fontenil

Ruby, thin garnet rim. 3400 bottles and 250 magnums made. Dark fruits, scented, layered and lifted nose, detailed, fruit forward, intense and rich. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, layered, fruit forward, wonderful mineral note, yet rich and deep, intense. 96

 

2005 Le Defi de Fontenil

Ruby, thin garnet rim. Liquorice, dates, figs, spices, tobacco nose, layered and deep, leather. Complex and deep. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, detailed, nuanced, juicy, blackberries, figs, dates, tobacco, minerals, deep.95

 

2021 Le Blanc de Fontenil

Pale lemon yellow. 2400 bottles made. Intense nose, fruit forward, nuanced, detailed, elegant, some vanilla, layered nose. Fresh acidity, saline, candied lemons, detailed, fruit forward, intense, nuanced, wonderful, long. 93

 

2020 Le Blanc de Fontenil

Pale lemon yellow. 5000 bottles made. Citrus, apples, peach, nuanced nose, fruit forward and elegant nose.Fresh acidity, apples, lemons, minerals, detailed, elegant texture, citrus, long finish. 92

 

2019 Le Blanc de Fontenil

Pale lemon yellow. 2200 bottles made. Citrus, fruit forward, nuanced, lemons, some pears notes nose. Fresh acidity, apples, citrus, detailed, saline, nuanced, intense, lovely freshness, long. 93

2022's from Clos Fourtet and Poujeaux

2022 Château Poujeaux

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, fruit forward nose. Scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, juicy, detailed, firmer, long. 93

 

2022 Château Côte de Baleau

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, spices, fruit forward, some alcohol warmth in the finish. 92

 

2022 La Closerie de Fourtet

Ruby. Blackberries, fruit driven, scented, nuanced, scented and floral nose, lifted. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, fruit forward, intense, nuanced, rich but lively, lovely energy to it. Salinity in the finish. 94

 

2022 Clos Fourtet

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, fruit forward, detailed, lifted and scented nose, intense and deep. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, juicy, liquorice, detailed, gorgeous texture and energy, saline and minerals beneath, Great pecission to it. 98

Glorious dinner with friends.2000 Lafite stole the show!

2020 Remi Jobard Meursault 1er Cru Le Poruzot-Dessus

Pale lemon yellow. Tighter nose, apples, citrus, minerals, detailed, nuanced, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, saline, minerals, detailed, nuanced, citrus, detailed, smoother vintage, elegant, long finish. 92

 

2000 Château Lafite Rothschild

Ruby, thin brick rim. Incredible nose, scented, lifted, fruit forward, detailed, minerals, layered, bright, tobacco, cassis, blackberries, ripe, absolutely gorgeous, so seductive! Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, blueberries, juicy, detailed, layered, intense, gorgeous wine. Served blind. Stunning! 100

 

2000 Château Gloria

Ruby, thin brick rim. Tobacco, intense, blackberries, figs, dates, spices, forest floor and mushrooms, minerals, graphite, layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, detailed, minerals, detailed, nuanced, blackberries, dates, figs, forest floor, maturing and absolutely wonderful now! 92

 

1995 Clos Fourtet

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, fruit driven, blueberries, intense nose, some coffee notes, deep. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, liquorice, spices, blackberries, vanilla, coffee, layered, long. 95

 

1983 Graham's Vintage Port

Ruby, thin brick rim. Dark fruits, blackberries, spices, blackberries, dried fruits, figs, leather nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, dates, figs, a lighter bottle, still detailed and long. 93

 

Quinta do Portal 30 Years Old Tawny

Amber. Dried fruits, figs, dates, raisins notes nose. Lighter for a 30 years old. Fresh acidity, dried fruits, lively, light concentration, but a good complexity of dried fruits, long finish. 90

Clos Dubreuil visit and tasting

2022 Clos Dubreuil Chardonnay

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, pears, citrus and some vanilla notes nose. Fresh acidity, rounded, creamy, fruit forward, citrus and apples, juicy, long. 90

 

2021 Clos Dubreuil Chardonnay

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, citrus, lighter vanilla and spices notes nose. Fresh acidity, lemons, citrus, some spices, light smoky note, long. 90

 

2021 Clos Dubreuil Clara Clairet

Light garnet Floral, scented, red berries nose. Fresh acidity, red berries, some floral notes, elegant texture, I have not tasted that many, but best Clairet I have tasted. Only some 1200 bottles made. 87

 

2014 Clos Dubreuil

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, blueberries, some dates and figs, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, figs, dates, nuanced, juicy, developing nicely, long. 91

 

2015 Clos Dubreuil

Ruby. Dark fruits, spices, liquorice, vanilla, dark fruits, fruit forward, spicy and coffee notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, blackberries, juicy, intense, spices, quite bold, still needs time. 93

 

2022 Clos Dubreuil

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit forward nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, blackberries, vanilla, liquorice, fruit forward, long. 94

 

2022 Clos Dubreuil Clara Clairet

Light garnet Fruit forward, quite different from the 2021. Fresh acidity, fruit forward, more intense, spices, light bitterness, good length. More intense than 2021, less refined. 86

2020, 2021 and 2022's from Grand Cercle tasted, in the tasted order.

2022 Château Fleur Haut Gaussens

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits nose, lighter. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, leaner.  86

 

2022 Château Leroy-Beauval

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some vanilla notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, some herbs, leaner finish. 87

 

2022 Château Penin

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, nuanced, juicy, blackberries, fruit forward, detailed, energetic, nuanced and long.  88

 

2022 Grand Vin de Reignac

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, blackberries, anise, detailed, long.  89

 

2022 Balthus

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice notes nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, juicy, detailed, elegant texture, long. 90

 

2022 Château Sainte-Marie

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, good length.  88

 

2022 Château Sainte-Marie Vieilles Vignes

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, fruit forward nose, blackberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, leaner bodied, spices, juicy. 89

 

2022 Château Carignan

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, dark fruits nose, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit forward, bit short. 88

 

2022 Château Carignan Prima

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, floral, lifted, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, juicy, good length.  89

 

2022 Château de Haut Coulon

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit forward nose, detailed.  Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, leaner finish. 87

 

2022 Château Reaut

Ruby. Anise, herbs, some spices, fruit forward, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, anise, leaner bodied, spices, easy going. 86

 

2022 Château Reaut Carat

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, anise, leaner nose, some herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, some herbs, leaner, elegant texture, good length.  88

 

2022 Château Reynon

Ruby. Red berries, anise, spices, leaner nose, blackberries, fruit forward. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, spices, juicy, leaner bodied, good length.  88

 

2022 Château Haut Bertinerie

Ruby. Anise, herbs, blackberries, leaner nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, leaner bodied, elegant texture. 88

 

2022 Château de Candale

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, scented, nuanced, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, spices, elegant txeture, long finish. 90

 

2022 Château Ampelia

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, leaner finish, quite juicy. 89

 

2022 Château Côte Montpezat

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, blueberries nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, dark fruits, blackberries, lovely fruit and body, the best ever from here in my book. 90

 

2022 Château de Laussac

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, leane rnose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, anise, leaner finish. 87

 

2022 Château de Laussac Cuvée Sacha

Ruby. Red berries, anise, spices, fruit forward nose, leaner. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, spices, juicy, blackberries, best Sascha to date.  89

 

2022 Clos Puy Arnaud

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, blackberries, juicy, rounded, long. 90

 

2022 Château Dalem

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, dark fruits, blueberries, fruit forward nose.Lifted, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, detailed, juicy, refined, elegant, juist starting to reveal more of its finesse and details, long finish. 94

 

2022 Château de la Dauphine

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, blueberries nose, fruit forward. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, long finish. 92

 

2022 Château Fontenil

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, energetic, detailed and long.  93

 

2022 Château de la Huste

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, blackberries, fruit forward, long finish.  90

 

2022 Château Moulin Haut-Laroque

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, dark fruits, blueberries, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, juicy, detailed, blackberries, long finish, bit leaner. 89

 

2022 Chäteau de la Riviere

Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, blackberries, spices, juicy, long. 92

 

2022 Château Les Trois Croix

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, fruit forward, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, spices, leaner bodied, good length.  89

 

2022 Château La Vieille Cure

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, blackberries, spices, juicy, good length. 90

 

2022 Château Villars

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, juicy, long.  91

 

2022 Château La Commanderie

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit driven nose, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some herbs, leaner finish. 90

 

2022 Château Taillefer

Ruby. Vanilla, dark fruits, anise and spices nose, some coffee. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, leaner finish. 89

 

2022 Clos Vieux Taillefer

Ruby. Dark fruits, red berries, anise, leaner nose, fruit forward. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, leaner bodied, good length.  89

 

2022 Château de Chambrun

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, juicy, long. 90

 

2022 Château Grand Ormeau

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, some spices, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, leaner. 88

 

2022 Château Moncets

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit forward and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, red and dark fruits, juicy, long. 90

 

2022 Château Siaurac

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, leaner bodies, juicy. 88

 

2022 Château Blanche-Hermine

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, spices, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, quite woody and spicy, leaner. 87

 

2022 Château La Grace Fonrazade

Ruby. Vanilla, blackberries, dark fruits and coffee notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, good length.  89

 

2022 Lynsolence

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some spices, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, blackberries, leaner, good length.  89

 

2022 Château Pas de l'Ane

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, softer texture, ripe tannins, juicy.  88

 

2022 Château Roylland

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, scented, fruit forward and detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, somewhat leaner finish, long. 90

 

2022 Château Soutard-Cadet

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit forward nose, vanilla.  Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, long if leaner finish. 90

 

2022 Château Tauzinat l'Hermitage

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, vanilla, blackberries, leaner finish. 89

 

2022 Château Tour de Pressac

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, fruit forward, blueberries, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, richer, long.  91

 

2022 Château Barbe.Blanche

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, juicy, good length.  89

 

2022 Croix de Château Haut-Bernat

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, fruit forward nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, blackberries, juicy, long. 90

 

2022 Château Bellerive

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, fruit forward nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, juicy. 91

 

2022 Château La Cardonne

Ruby. Vanilla, coffee, leaner blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, herbal, bit thin, and woody.87

 

2022 Château Griviere

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, leaner, some herbs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, anise, leaner bodied, herbal. 86

 

2022 Château Loudenne

Ruby. Scented, red berries, anise, some spices, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, leaner, long. 89

 

2022 Château Ramafort

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, juicy, long. 89

 

2022 Château Peyredon Lagravette

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, blueberries, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, finishes rather abruptly. 88

 

2022 Château de Villegeorge

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, leaner. 87

 

2022 Château Cap Léon Veyrin

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, leaner bodied, herbs. 87

 

2022 Château Le Coteau

Ruby. Vanilla, spices, blackberries, dark fruits, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, juicy, leaner, elegant texture. 87

 

2022 Château Deyrem Valentin

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, anise, fruit forward nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, blackberries, spices, fruit forward, long. 92

 

2022 Château Haut-Breton Larigaudiere

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice nose, fruit forward. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, leaner finish. 89

 

2022 Château La Tour de Bessan

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, dark fruits, blueberries, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, red and dark fruits, blackberries, good length.  89

 

2022 Château La Haye

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, leaner bodied. 88

 

2022 Château Petit Bocq

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, fruit forward, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries,d ark fruits, liquorice, leaner finish. 89

 

2022 Château Tour des Termes

Corked.  

 

2022 Château Tour Saint-Fort

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, red and dark fruits, anise, bit thin. 87

 

2022 Château Brondelle

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, fruit forward nose, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, good length.  87

 

2022 Clos Floridene

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, fruit forward, minerals and detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, red andd arker fuits, nuanced, long. 90

 

2022 Château Haura

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, anise nose, spices. Fresh acidity, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, juicy, elegant, long. 90

 

2022 Château Roquetaillade La Grange

Ruby. Vanilla, blackberries, dark fruits, some vanilla notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, leaner finish, juicy. 88

 

2022 Château Tourteau Chollet

Ruby. Vanilla, blackberries, herbal nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, herbal and green. 86

 

2022 Château de Cruzeau

Ruby. Red and darker fruits, some vanilla notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, leaner, some spices. 88

 

2022 Château Léognan

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, some spices, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, refreshing, good length.  89

 

2022 Château de Rochemorin

Ruby. Vanilla, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, blackberries, juicy, leaner.  89

 

2022 Grand Vin de Reignac

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, juicy, firmer, long. 89

 

2021 Château Reynon

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices nose, leaner. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, leaner. 85

 

2020 Chäteau Brondelle

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, leaner, some herbs notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, elaner. 84

 

2020 Grand Vin de Reignac

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, long finish. 90

 

2020 Balthus

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits and vanilla notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, spices, good length.  89

 

2020 Château Tauzinat l'Hermitage

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries and vanilla notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, blackberries, leaner. 86

 

2020 Château Grand Ormeau

Rubu. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, leaner. 87

 

2020 Château Taillefer

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, anise, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, juicy if leaner and some vanilla. 88

2020 Château Fleur Haut Gaussens

Ruby. Red berries, anise, some spices, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, anise, leaner bodied. 85

 

2021 Château Fleur Haut Gaussens

Ruby. Anise, red berries, some spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lean and green. 84

 

2020 Château Leroy-Beauval

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, leaner, red fruits, some herbs. 85

 

2021 Château Leroy-Beauval

Ruby. Herbal, red berries, anise, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, anise, spices, leaner.85

 

2021 Château Loudenne

Ruby. Herbs, lighter, red berries nose, easy going. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, red berries, thin. 85

 

2020 Château Loudenne

Ruby. Red berries, anise, spices, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, anise, leaner, herbs. 86

 

2021 Croix de Château Haut-Bernat

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lean and herbal. 84

 

2020 Croix de Château Haut-Bernat

Ruby. Red berries, herbs, lean nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, lean. 85

 

2021 Château Tour Saint-Fort

Ruby. Red and dark fruits, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, refreshing. 85

 

2020 Château Tour Saint-Fort

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, lean bodied. 86

 

2021 Château Leognan

Ruby. Leaner nose, dark fruits and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, spices, leaner. 86

 

2020 Château Leognan

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, fruit forward. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, anise, spices, leaner finish. 87

 

2021 Château Haut-Breton Larigaudiere

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, leaner. 87

 

2020 Château Haut-Breton Larigaudiere

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, spices, somewhat fruit forward. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, spices, juicy, leaner. 88

 

2021 Château Deyrem Valentin

Ruby. Dark blackberries, fruit driven, some spices and liquorice notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, juicy, good length. 89

 

2020 Château Deyrem Valentin

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries and blueberries, dark fruits, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, juicy, nuanced, long. 91

 

2021 Château Pas de l'Ane

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some spices notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied, some herbs and red fruits. 86

 

2020 Château Pas de l'Ane

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, fruit forward, blackberries, leaner. 87

 

2021 Château Rol Valentin

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, fruit driven, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, juicy if leaner. 87

 

2020 Château Rol Valentin

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit forward nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dasrk fruits, spices, juicy, long. 90

 

2022 Château Mazeris

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, fruit driven, nuanced, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, red berries, anise, juicy, energetic, long. 91

 

2021 Château La Grace Fonrazade

Ruby. Herbs, anise, blackberries, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied, anise, herbs, bit skinny. 87

 

2020 Château La Grace Fonrazade

Ruby. Vanilla, blackberries, dark fruits, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied, somewhat dusty. 87

 

2021 Château Roylland

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, leaner. 87

 

2020 Château Roylland

Ruby. Blackerries, anise, spices, dark fruits, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, leaner. 88

 

2021 Château Côte Montpezat

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, leaner. 87

 

2020 Château Côte Montpezat

Ruby. Scented, darker fruits, blackberries, fruit forward nose, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, juicy, rounded, long. 90

 

2021 Château de la Dauphine

Ruby. Spices, liquorice, fruit driven nose, spices and blackberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, dark fruits, spices, vanilla, juicy, long. 90

 

2020 Château de la Dauphine

Ruby. Vanilla, blackberries, spices, dark fruits, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, blackberries, juicy, some spices, quite intense, long. 92

 

2021 Château Yon-Figeac

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits and red berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, anise, leaner bodied, elegant. 89

 

2020 Château Yon-Figeac

Ruby. Dark fruits, liquorice, blueberries nose, fruit forward. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, blackberries, dark fruits, nuanced, juicy, long. 92

 

2021 Château La Croizille

Ruby. Red berries, anise, dark fruits, some spices, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, juicy, leaner finish. 90

 

2020 Château La Croizille

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, vanilla and spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, firmer, long. 91

 

2021 Château Tour Baladoz

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, anise, spices, leaner. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, spices, liquorice. 90

 

2020 Château Tour Baladoz

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, spices, fruit forward nose Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, spices, juicy with wood. 91

 

2021 Château Soutard-Cadet

Ruby. Vanilla, spices, dark fruits, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, good length. 89

 

2020 Château Soutard-Cadet

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, juicy, long. 90

 

2021 Château Sansonnet

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, juicy. 90

 

2020 Château Sansonnet

Ruby. Vanilla, dark fruits, spices, vanilla notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, juicy, spices, liquorice. 91

 

2021 Château Tour de Pressac

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, liquorice, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, juicy. 89

 

2020 Château Tour de Pressac

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, dark fruits, fruit forward, juicy. 91

 

2021 Château de Pressac

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, spices, dark fruits, liquorice, long. 92

 

2020 Château de Pressac

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit forward nose, intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, some spices, liquorice, juicy, long finish. 96

 

2022 Château Fleur Haut Gaussens Pierre Blanche

Pale lemon yellow. Leaner, apples, peach, fruit forward nose. Rounded, fruit forward, easy going. 85

 

2022 Château Haut Bertinerie blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, some citrus and vanilla notes nose. Leaner, herbal, thin. 84

 

2022 Château Leroy-Beauval blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Leaner, fruit forward, thinner nose. Fresh acidity, leaner yet rounded. 85

 

2022 Château de la Riviere blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Leaner nose, fruit forward, lighter. Fresh acidity, rounded, elegant, leaner. 86

 

2022 Château de la Dauphine blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Leaner nose, some spices. Fresh acidity, fruit driven, apples, rounded. 86

 

2022 Château Sainte-Marie blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Leaner nose, fruit forward. Fresh acidity, leaner bodied, fruit forward. 85

 

2022 Château de Cruzeau blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Some citrus, fruit driven if leaner. Fresh acidity, rounded, fruit driven, bit thin. 86

 

2022 Château de Rochemorin blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Some citrus, fruit forward, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, peach, pineapples, citrus, leaner bodied, elegant. 88

 

2022 Château Côte Montpezat blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Fruit forward, nuanced, some citrus notes nose. medium acidity, leaner bodied, fruit forward. 86

 

2022 Château de Reignac blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Leaner nose, fruit forward, leaner nose. Rounded, fruit forward, rounded, lacks energy.87

 

2022 Clos Floridene blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, citrus, fruit forward, light of spices nose. Fresh acidity, lemons, some spices, leaner bodied, refreshing and elegant, saline finish. 89

 

2022 Château Haut-Bergeron

Golden. Apricots, peach, fruit forward nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, fruit driven, juicy, elegant, lovely fruit, good length. 89

 

2022 Château Cantegril

Golden. Apricots, peach, pineapples, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, rounded, elegant, fruit forward, long finish, pure. 90

 

2022 Château Raymond Lafon

Golden. Peach, apricots, fruit forward and detailed, layered nose. Fresh acidity, peach, apricots, fruit forward, juicy, detailed, intense, creamy, layered, intense, gorgeous, yet again! 96