2012 Fontenil
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A radiant, voluptuous wine, the 2012 Fontenil offers tons of sheer immediacy. Dark blue and purplish fruit, spice, mint and licorice burst forward in a generous, inviting Fronsac endowed with notable personality. I expect the 2012 will provide highly pleasurable drinking over the next handful of years. Fontenil is Michel and Dany Rolland's Fronsac property.
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Robert Parker
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
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From famous Fronsac estate of Dany and Michel Rolland, this wine is made exclusively from vines averaging 40 years of age and is generally 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2012 is close to outstanding. Deep ruby/purple with floral notes, blueberry, black raspberry and cassis fruit, and a hint of minerality, this rich, medium-bodied, concentrated wine once again over-achieves in 2012. That’s not surprising, given its proprietors. The wine should drink well for at least 10-12 years, judging from the minerality and density of this effort. It is a sleeper of the vintage. Kudos to the Rollands!
Inky purple-crimson. Peppery and very fresh. Nice fruit depth, a touch leafy but attractively so. Paper-fine tannins. (JH)