2020 Fonreaud
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Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
I loved the nose on the 2020 Château Fonréaud, which offers up loads of currants, lead pencil, tobacco, macerated cherries, and leafy herb-like nuances that develop nicely with time in the glass. These carry to a medium-bodied, soft, supple, incredibly charming 2020 with a delicious, drink-me-now style that should keep nicely for 7-8 years.
The 2020 Fonréaud is much cleaner on the nose than it showed from barrel. Blackberry and bilberry fruit, no sign of any Brettanomyces, quite focused. The palate is well balanced with fine delineation, taut and fresh with a saline finish. Give this 3-4 years in bottle as it is promising.
The 2020 Fonréaud is burly, foursquare with limited depth that only accentuates the angular contours. This needs more attention. The herbal, feral profile is not particularly appealing.
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”).