2005 Chateau de Fonbel, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

A sleeper of the vintage, Ausone’s proprietor, Alain Vauthier, produces this beautiful St.-Emilion. It possesses a sumptuous bouquet of crushed rocks, incense, raspberries, boysenberries, and a touch of cherries. Some earthiness intrudes on the palate, but it adds complexity and nuance rather than detracting from the wine’s beautiful fruit. Medium to full-bodied, with admirable elegance and purity as well as ripe tannin, this beauty can be enjoyed over the next 15+ years.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #176, Apr 2008)

(80% merlot, 15% cabernet sauvignon and 5% petit verdot; made by Alain Vauthier, whose family also owns Ausone and Moulin Saint-Georges) Good deep ruby. Aromas and flavors of blueberry, minerals and mint. Juicy and intense but a bit reduced today and hard to assess. Strong acids give grip to the blueberry and blackberry flavors. Finishes with some youthfully tough tannins but very good freshness and chewy persistence. I may be underestimating this, but today I don't get the same ripeness of fruit shown by Vauthier's Ausone and Moulin-Saint-Georges.