Chateau Fonplegade (Futures Pre-Sale) 2021

Professional Ratings

• 95 Vinous
  The 2021 Fonplégade is classy and refined to the core. It possesses terrific depth, with sweet floral aromatics and fine-grained tannins that convey finesse. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice and bright saline notes all meld together. Fonplégade is built more on vertical persistence than volume. It is one of the most elegant Saint-Émilions of the vintage and a terrific effort from proprietors Denise and Stephen Adams. Tasted three times.–Antonio Galloni
  Barrel Sample: 93-95
• 92 James Suckling
  Smoked herbs, spices and a hint of lanolin cream to the red berries and plums. Generous but juicy on the palate with a medium body and silky tannins. Pretty long and flattering finish.
• 92 Jeb Dunnuck
  From a beautiful terroir on the hillside just outside of Saint-Emilion, the 2021 Château Fonplégade is based on 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc raised in a mix of cask, concrete, and amphora. Cassis, spring flowers, ripe strawberries, and hints of tobacco all emerge from this medium-bodied, supple, layered, incredibly impressive 2021. I love its mid-palate, and it has present yet perfectly ripe tannins and outstanding length.
• 91 Decanter
  Perfumed and scented on the nose with cocoa powder too. Dark and savoury on the palate, the fruit more blackcurrant, plum and damson with clear liquorice spicing throughout the palate. The texture is appealing as is the minerality at the back of the throat but this stop a little short or rather just lacks a little persistence in terms of weight. But good direction and long aerial finish.
  Barrel Sample: 91
• 91 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

  The 2021 Fonplégade offers up aromas of rich berry and cherry fruit framed by minty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and lively, it's generous and concentrated, albeit a touch marked by its 50% new oak at this early stage. Barrel Sample: (89 - 91)