2016 Château Fonroque

Dark crimson with blueish hints. Quite developed nose – pleasing even if not a knockout. Open and juicy – not that complex. Rather soft tannins. (JR)

A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Château Fonroque is a pretty, classy wine that has plenty of tobacco and earthy notes, plenty of darker fruits, medium body, and a supple, lightly textured, balanced style on the palate. It doesn't match the 2015 yet is a beautiful, elegant, nuanced wine to drink over the coming 10-15 years.

The 2016 Fonroque has quite a heady, spirituous bouquet of macerated small black cherries, blueberry and crushed violets. The medium-bodied palate offers fleshy ripe black and red fruit laced with orange peel and cedar, building confidently in the mouth toward a precise finish. Alain Moueix’s Saint-Émilion impressed in barrel and just about delivers in bottle.