2012 Chateau de Fonbel, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Graphite, dark blue/black fruit, smoke and spices meld together in the 2012 de Fonbel. Beams of supporting minerality and tannin give the 2012 much of its energy and sense of direction. This is a very pretty, impeccably balanced wine from the Vauthier family. The blend is 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Carmenère. Drink this attractive Saint-Emilion over the next decade or so.

This shows loads of fruit on the finish with dark chocolate and blueberries. Full and dense yet very long and structured. A beauty. Impressive. Close to the 2010. Maybe the same quality level?

A blend of 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Carmenère, picked between 5th and 16th October, the Fonbel has a candied, almost chocolate tinged bouquet that is nicely defined. The palate is medium-bodied – smooth and harmonious, and although there is not great depth here, is approachable, pure and offers fine tension on the finish. The oak is quite prudent (30%) and it should age well. Tasted April 2013.

Light, restrained nose with plum and strawberry fruit. Pretty good concentration considering the challenges of the vintage; overall quite light and straightforward but will make great everyday drinking.

A sleeper of the vintage, the dark ruby/purple-colored 2012 Fonbel offers up sweet aromas of mulberries, raspberries, forest floor and loamy soil. Medium-bodied with abundant fruit, glycerin and length, it should drink well for a decade. Drink: 2013 - 2023

Drink 2016-2022 Sandy soil with clay and gravel. 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 5% Carmenère. Much more Cabernet character on the nose, with the perfume of Petit Verdot. Fine and juicy and lots of easy pleasure without being over simple. Likely to be GV. (JH)