Château Fonréaud 2017

Still showing its maturation, with pretty notes of cocoa and cherry; good body, velvety tannins, good length; should give lots of pleasure in two to three years.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Fonreaud is showing a lot of oak at this stage, followed by smudged black and red fruit notes, sautéed herbs, and scorched earth. The medium body is a little lean and chewy, with appealing herbal freshness on the finish.

Well-executed charcoal and almond oak grilling that supports the aromatics and the mid-palate here. The fruit keeps pace – elegant, carefully handled, but not heart-quickening.

This has a fresh, lithe, juicy feel with tangy acidity and slightly sharp-edged tannins, cutting a firm finish. Drink or hold.

49% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot. Sweetly oaky nose. Toasty and stands out for that. Also stands out for very supple tannins. Easy and rounded. Just fresh enough. Likely to be ready earlier than some of its peers. (JH)

The 2017 Fonréaud has a perfumed and expressive bouquet with red berry fruit, Xmas cake and allspice aromas. There is something slightly Oriental about this bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity, quite harmonious with a touch of sour cherry and orange rind on the finish. This is a delicious Listrac to drink over the next decade. Tasted twice with consistent notes.

Kunz barrel sample 18: sweet, silky bouquet, strawberries, roasted aromas, bread crust. Light, fresh palate with delicate fruit, good tannins, medium aromatics, fine finish. Can still improve.

Sweet, silky bouquet, strawberries, toasted notes, bread crust. Light, fresh palate with delicate fruit, good tannins, medium aromatics, fine finish. Can still improve. 16/20 2022 - 2034

Ample, structured wine, slightly vegetal, fresh and tense.

Complex, multifaceted bouquet highlighting roasted notes, spices and fruit tones. Inviting character. As minutes pass, the fruit expression takes the lead. Lush, slightly creamy attack. The wine has good structure that lends breed and well-integrated tannins. Good balance between the various components. The whole needs time to blossom and the wine deserves a bit of ageing.

The nose is racy, precise and offers a touch of power. It reveals notes of crunchy blackberry, wild crunchy red berries and, more slightly, lily, together with fine hints of Cuben pepper, spices and a very discreet touch of tea. The palate is fruity, balanced and offers minerality, freshness and good definition. On the palate, this wine delivers notes of juicy/crunchy blackcurrant, juicy/crunchy raspberry and, more slightly, small red berries, along with hints of violet, cornflower and licorice stick. The tannins are well managed. Good length.

Deeply colored wine with a fruity nose and a palate offering red and white fruit flavors. Smooth finish, medium length.

91–93. Barrel Sample. This estate is situated at the highest point in the Médoc, yielding fine, ripe wines. The wood is showing strongly, but so is the fruit. That makes for a ripe, full wine with plenty of blackberry flavors that will age well. Drink from 2023.