2020 Fonroque
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Tasting notes
Aromas of dusty berries, cherries, warm spices and petals introduce the 2020 Fonroque, a medium to full-bodied, supple and fleshy wine with a vibrant core of fruit, powdery tannins and a penetrating finish. As readers may remember, part of Fonroque's biodynamically farmed holdings are located on Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau, and the rest on the slopes, with more clay and colluvium.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
From a cooler, limestone terroir, the 2020 Château Fonroque has a darker ruby/plum hue as well as solid aromatics of ripe black cherries, dark chocolate, loamy earth, and leafy herbs. It's rich, mouth-filling, medium to full-bodied, and nicely balanced. Drink this plump, satisfying Saint-Emilion over the coming 15 years or so.
I suggested/hoped that the 2020 Fonroque would display more finesse by the time of bottling, and it seems to have heard my words. With blackberry, briary and light sous-bois scents on the nose, this indeed conveys greater refinement. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly angular tannins, fresh and saline, with a dash of black pepper decorating the finish. A little Medocian in style with decent length, this should age well in bottle.