2017 Chateau Fonroque Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

The 2017 Fonroque has a perfumed bouquet with redcurrant and crushed strawberry fruit, a touch of vanilla and a faint touch of cedar and dark chocolate. It opens nicely with aeration but never gets carried away (as Alain Moueix’s wines tend not to!) The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity, fresh and tender in the mouth with quite a long, silky finish. Delightful! - vinous.com, May 2018

Tight and fruity with chocolate and dark-berry character. Medium-to full-bodied and layered. Very pretty. Better than 2016. - jamessuckling.com, April 2018

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Fonroque is a tad rustic on the nose with notes of stewed plum, black olives and balsamic plus hints of new leather, fried herbs and damp soil. The medium-bodied palate is chewy, with a tart mid-palate and a grippy finish.

80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc . Deepish crimson. Sweetly ripe Merlot fruit and some oak sweetness on the nose. The oak is a little dominant on the palate and the tannins are surprisingly supple already. Something slightly hard on the finish. (JH)