December 10, 2023 - At 33 years of age, the 1990 Fonsalette Syrah belies its age and has turned into a magnificent beauty. Ruby red colour with brickred edges.Psychedelic rich aromas of plum, raspberries, sous bois, kirsch, pepper, black olives and assam tea. Suave texture and rich palate. Profound expression and depth of flavours including a touch of marzipan and dark chocolate. This could easily be mistaken for a Chave Hermitage rouge 1990. What a pleasure!
August 17, 2022 - Il y a qq chose d’italien dans ce vin, genre gros nebbiolo piemontais structuré et frais, boisé et serré, solaire et tertiaire.
32 ans et fringant, voilà l’intrigue! Je trouve tout de même un peu asséchante la finale, un peu virile, stricte.
Un style…
October 2, 2021 - Spectacular bottle, still young
May 2, 2021 - Corked
August 5, 2020 - I could have spent the entire night with my nose in this glass,showing a mix of very ripe dark fruits,flower petals,grilled meats,tapenade,garrigue,and with hints of exotic spices and tobacco.The palate shows a rich silky texture like a Burgundy,but then plenty of savory Southern Rhône flavors emerge, like grilled meats and floral spices,with black fruits and tapenade.Just an amazing wine and a real pleasure to sit down and follow over some time.
March 6, 2020 - Served blind. Young Bordeaux, but Italian? Quite confusing with this rare Syrah cuvee. The wine is very polished and well-made, with some detailed and composed palate throughout. Not my favorite grape variety during Paulee week but nice refresher. 92-93
July 20, 2018 - Nice bottle. Slightly rustic but good remaining intensity here.
February 22, 2015 - Corked
January 18, 2013 - Quite big and powerful at first. Not overly farmie but there was a bit of herbs and leather. Surprisingly had a bit of Bordeaux feel to it. Bit of a hole in the middle and the tannins started to take over after half an hour. Hedonistic rather than intellectual. Good but not great.
February 13, 2012 - This is a very big wine, powerful and stronger than us.
Very good nose of barnyard that reminds me " Cheval Blanc ", very serious texture, dense and full-bodied.
Stunning aftertaste !!!
I think I should go back to stock normal Fonsalette Cote du Rhone.
Drink now - 2025................97++/100.....................
ps. You can bring this wine to drink with Screaming Eagle 2003 or JL Chave, Hermitage 2003.