Château Fonréaud 2021

Strongly marked by oak, with roasted notes, dark and red berries, leather. A tight, dense palate, the oak is noticeable here as well, with fine tannins and good length. A successful Fonréaud that will be enjoyable early.

A herbal and mentholated nose full of Cabernet scents with crushed cherries and blackcurrants. Tangy and bright strawberries, a lovely smooth profile on the palate, tannins are present but well integrated, and it carries its juiciness, acidity and saltiness really well. A lightly framed wine that is really enjoyable and easy to drink.

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Light nose. Quite soft. Made to drink early? Medium-weight. Airline wine? (JR)

The 2021 Fonréaud has an attractive bouquet with blackberry, briar, cedar and light pencil box aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and acidity. Thankfully, I think this Listrac has subsumed that patina of greenness I found out of barrel, and it renders the finish quite fresh and tensile. Drink it over the next decade.

Espresso, flowers, cherries and cocoa aromatics get you focused on the wine. On the palate, the wine is soft, fresh, vibrant and easy to drink, with its cherry and red plum finish. Drink from 2024-2035.

Opaque ruby core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Delicate aromas of red berries, cranberries with a light herbal savouriness and a touch of lemon citrus. Slender, red cherries on the palate, light tannins, mineral and fresh, an uncomplicated food companion.

Exotic red fruits, sappy herbs, and cedar notes all emerge from the 2021 Château Fonréaud, a charming, mid-weight, forward drinker to enjoy over the coming couple of years.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 35 hl/ha, 12.5% alc., production 120,000 bottles) Red-berried, slightly metallic bouquet, red cherries, wood, green herbs. Slim, firm palate with light, sweet fruit, good tannins, a firm structure, medium aromatics, and a light finish. Has room to improve.

(50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 35 hl/ha, 12.5% vol. alcohol, production 120,000 bottles) Red-berried, slightly metallic bouquet, red cherries, wood, green herbs. Slim, firm palate with lightly sweet fruit, good tannins, a firm structure, medium aromatics, and a light finish. Can improve further. 16/20 2026 - 2038

Well handled, carefully balanced, soft through the mid-palate, with fresh acidity on the finish and enjoyable grilled cedar, black cherry and blueberry fruit across the palate. Vignobles Chanfreau.

Fonréaud’s bouquet unfolds with subtlety through smoky nuances, elderberry, and licorice. Slightly creamy and gourmand on the attack, the wine shows compact, fine-grained tannins. A promising Fonréaud with excellent potential. It will need a little time!

Beautiful dark, purple color. Moderately aromatic nose with ripe fruit. Soft, fruity, and flavorful palate, leading to a slightly licorice-tinged finish. Medium body and length.

The nose reveals a certain complexity: toasted notes, wet earth, cedar, cigar box and sweet spices. The attack is appealing, with fruitiness combining citrus, red fruits (cherry) and blackcurrant. The tannins are fine, supporting a fluid, supple palate. A wine that leans toward finesse.

A lovely nose, almost fully formed, between dark fruit and very moderate oak. The palate revolves around small dark berries (blueberry and blackcurrant) and blue fruit (plum). The acidity is clearly present and manages to tame the tannins, which become compliant. A structured finish, suggesting a harmonious transition out of adolescence in a few years.