2014 Fonreaud
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Tasting notes
Dark, savoury fruit and a chewy tannic grain on the palate. Very tight and compact. The structure dominates the fruit, leaving it quite a tough mouthful. (RH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Decanter
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2014 Fonreaud has a tightly wound bouquet with well defined red berry fruit mixed with cedar and tobacco, although it needs a couple of years to fully unwind. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and well judged acidity. This lacquers the mouth with tannin, though it does not feel overbearing and it has plenty of stuffing on the finish. Give this some bottle age and you'll have a great Cru Bourgeois/Listrac. Tasted September 2016.
52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot. Aged for 12 months in French oak barriques. Spicy and smoky nose, dry and firm palate. Very dry and with a little volatile acidity giving an unkempt edge. (RH)
Crimson not quite out to the rim. Minerally nose. Sweet start and plush texture. Just a little simple but quite satisfyingly savoury. Good oak handling. Winning ripe fruit. Acidity perceptible. (JR)
About the producer
Situated at the highest point in the Médoc (at a huge 43 metres above sea-level), this estate is thought to be named after a spring on the site, from which Henry II supposedly drank (a “royal fountain”).