2008 de Fonbel
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Tasting notes
Including a tiny amount of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with the majority Merlot, the 2008 Château de Fonbel offers a vibrant ruby color as well as classy notes of blackberries, tapenade, dried flowers, and underbrush. It's a rich, elegant, silky wine that has fine tannin, beautiful purity and elegance, and outstanding length. It's still young.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
This pleasant, elegant 2008 is less impressive from bottle than it was from barrel. Straightforward with good acidity and tarry black currant notes intermixed with a weedy, herbaceous character, it should be consumed over the next 5-6 years.
65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 5% Carmenère. Dark. Intriguing and exotic nose. Very racy and very dry finish. Muscular and lots of acidity. Needs time. Lots of fresh energy. Wait! Dry finish. (JR)
This pleasant, elegant 2008 is less impressive from bottle than it was from barrel. Straightforward with good acidity and tarry black currant notes intermixed with a weedy, herbaceous character, it should be consumed over the next 5-6 years. May 2011, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Owned by the same family as Ch. Ausone, Ch. de Fonbel is one of the best-value Saint-Emilion estates. It has a long history stretching back to the Roman era, however its story really begins when Alain Vauthier purchased the property in 1971.