9th bottle from a case bought en primeur. Same ownership as Ausone. Drinking a bottle a year whilst waiting for the left bank wines to be fully ready. Big nose of plums, blackcurrant and cedar with some sous bois in the background. Quite full bodied. A gap mid palate yet a very long finish. The cepage is 80% merlot. Smooth on the palate with loads of soft tannins. A pointe now yet still plenty of life ahead. Very enjoyable. Interesting that far more comments than usual are from France - this is excellent value at c.£26 duty paid.
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More structured and complex than the Laroque. This has all the elements and pleasure to drink. Always impresses at a party with "Wow that's a nice wine!"
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Beaucoup de couleur et de caractère bordelais. Un peu joufflu, généreux au nez et en bouche avec une petite pointe d'austérité toute bordelaise. Beaucoup de charme, puissance et équilibre. Très satisfaisant.
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8th bottle from a case bought en primeur. Drinking a bottle a year whilst waiting for the left bank wines to be fully ready to drink. Big nose of plums, blackcurrant and cedar with some sous bois in the background. Quite full bodied. The cepage is 80% merlot but the character has more cabernet blackcurrant than its 10% weight. Smooth on the palate with loads of soft tannins that still have some maturing to go. Still plenty of life and some improvement ahead. Very enjoyable.
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After 2 hours in the decanter this really softens and is very good. Plush, velvety mouth feel. Ripe plums, understated, on the fruit side. Soft leather emerges with pleasant, grippy tannins on the finish. Improves marvellously over several hours and the last glass is the best. Nicely balanced and quite sumptuous to drink.
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This was a better bottle than the last one some 6 months back. Graphite/pencil shavings noticeable. Evolving nicely and happy to add a point to my last score. This is good value wine.
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Energetic and powerful for a modest wine. Grainy tannins and oak still to the fore. Quite spicy. Tails off with no great length. Will provide interesting drinking over next couple of years.
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Un St-Émilion qui semble entamer son plateau. Sur des notes de fruits noirs très mûres, de réglisse, de mine de crayon, ainsi que quelques épices. Il démontre une concentration solaire avec des tanins encore présents mais assouplis. Le tout, appuyé par une acidité juste et une vigueur / amertume de bon aloi. Équipé d'une ossature conséquente, il tapisse le palais, avec droiture tout en étant charnu et gourmand. Jolie bouteille à table!
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Drinking a bottle a year from a case bought en primeur whilst waiting for the left bank wines to be fully ready to drink. Big nose of violets, plums, blackcurrant and charred oak. Quite full bodied for Bordeaux and more Merlot in character than CS. Super smooth on the palate with loads of very soft tannins. On its plateau of maturity and pretty unchanged in the last three years. Still plenty of life ahead.
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Un vin encore assez jeune, malgré les 10 ans ! Could go a while. Très intense et foncé, opaque tellement la densité y est. Un nez riche comme on aime les St Emilion, une qualité irréprochable, un vin généreux et complexe. A very dark st-émilion, dense and complex. Equilibrium but rich and impressive, complex and typical. Avoir d'autres bouteilles, j'attendrais. Mais on ne se trompe pas à le savourer.
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One hour decant. Rubber, fig, camphor, plum, black currant, cola, Earth and liquorice. Good minerality to back the integrated tannins. Started boldly but the intensity faded over the course of the evening. Peaking currently and for the next five years.
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Opaque in rhe glass, dark red ruby colored. Some oak on rhe nose, tobacco too. Full bodied with dark black fruits. Full on tannins but well behaved, medium plus finish
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Mostly a repeat of my previous note but today in very hot conditions. I’ve had a bottle a year for several years and it’s improving steadily. Violets, plums, blackcurrant and oak on the nose. This is full bodied for Bordeaux and more Merlot in character than CS. Super smooth on the palate with loads of very soft tannins. Drinking well now and will continue to improve for at least a few years. A real bargain.
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A classic Bordeaux with a nose of dark fruits, rich forest floor, and a bit of cedar and leather. A lush palate, good structure and a long lingering finish make this a wine that begs you to come back for more. Well balanced, with just enough acidity to perfectly complement the fruit. I had this with a grilled Filet Mignon first, and it was an excellent companion, adding dramatically to the enjoyment of the meat. But sipping it afterwards let the wine's subtleties come out, and it's definitely worth drinking on its own. I'll be going back for more of this gem.
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Had this on a 3hr Emirates flight. After opening, this is pleasant - medium bodied at best, but very nicely ripe and harmonious. I had another glass and it was again similar.
I managed to charm? the hostess into topping me up a third time and now the wine had opened up. The bouquet really stood out displaying a mixture of mainly ripe red fruits but some dark fruits as well. The description said there is some petit verdot and now I detected that in some intensity and persistence. There is apparently also some chambourcin - I didn't identify that but the third glass after an hour is quite mesmerising of a fruity perfume with some really enjoyable flavours. Smooth tannins from the Merlot, some well judged ripeness still with acidity and everything very much in balance. I started to think this wine was seriously good and the cabin crew indicated it was very popular with passengers.
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Valeur solide pour le prix (pour un Bordeaux). Ça se boit déjà bien mais ça reste un peu austère (à noter je n'ai ni carafé, ni laissé respirer, pop & pour). J'ai l'impression qu'un ou 2 ans de plus sous la cravate continuera de l'embellir.
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This showed its ambition 2 years ago, with big, dense body and a lot of oak out of balance. It has now absorbed the oak quite well and the result is a dark, brooding, almost smoky version, with low tone berry fruit and earthy, savory details. Once the palate is trained to not expect the higher tone cherry and berry fruit one would expect, this is really quite satisfying and shows some real class, depth and pedigree. (The 2012 is very similar in style.)
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Violets, plums, blackcurrant and oak on the nose. This is full bodied for Bordeaux and more Merlot in character than CS. Drinking well now and will continue to improve for at least a few years. The 2015 currently offers excellent value en primeur at £11.50 a bottle.
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Improving and drinking well, although some years away from its peak. Merlot nose, has gained body, very much in the 2010 style of being big and well proportioned - all the right junk in all the right places. Some bitterness on the finish that will drop out with the tannins in a few years and become more elegant and interesting. Long. Superb value.
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Blackcurrant and soy nose. Medium bodied, good length. I expect it to improve over the next couple of years.sweet ripe fruit and plenty of soft tannins.
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Ouverture astringente, mais retombe vite. Arôme de "réglisse" typique des Bordeaux, belle longueur en bouche à souligner pour le prix. Bien ententdu, mariage parfait avec bœuf saignant.
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Quite a surprisingly dark shade of purple. Nuts, chocolate, wood and spices. Very very slight heat. Smooth with well integrated tannins (albeit slight harshness day 2) Medium bodied.
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The 2010 vintage from Château de Fonbel from the Vauthier family did not fulfill my expectations. The wine is rather flat, lacking depth and complexity and, with due respect a thousand miles behind Ausone. However, given its price point, the 2010 is serviceable.
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Easy going, easy to like, medium bodied, soft wine with ample black raspberry and earthy notes in its character. This is not a wine built for aging. I'd drink it in its first decade of life.
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4/4/2023 - df1988 wrote: 89 Points
Not bad, expected a little more from the vintage as this wasn’t much better than the 2012.
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4/18/2022 - wineforth Likes this wine: 91 Points
9th bottle from a case bought en primeur. Same ownership as Ausone. Drinking a bottle a year whilst waiting for the left bank wines to be fully ready. Big nose of plums, blackcurrant and cedar with some sous bois in the background. Quite full bodied. A gap mid palate yet a very long finish. The cepage is 80% merlot. Smooth on the palate with loads of soft tannins. A pointe now yet still plenty of life ahead. Very enjoyable. Interesting that far more comments than usual are from France - this is excellent value at c.£26 duty paid.
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9/19/2021 - dannyg wrote: 90 Points
More structured and complex than the Laroque. This has all the elements and pleasure to drink. Always impresses at a party with "Wow that's a nice wine!"
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9/12/2021 - CME67 Does not like this wine: 84 Points
Not great.
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8/31/2021 - djhammond Likes this wine: 90 Points
This is highly approachable and easy to drink with or without food. It is good value for money and should drink well for a good few years.
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8/7/2021 - stephru Likes this wine: 90 Points
Beaucoup de couleur et de caractère bordelais. Un peu joufflu, généreux au nez et en bouche avec une petite pointe d'austérité toute bordelaise. Beaucoup de charme, puissance et équilibre. Très satisfaisant.
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8/6/2021 - wineforth Likes this wine: 91 Points
8th bottle from a case bought en primeur. Drinking a bottle a year whilst waiting for the left bank wines to be fully ready to drink. Big nose of plums, blackcurrant and cedar with some sous bois in the background. Quite full bodied. The cepage is 80% merlot but the character has more cabernet blackcurrant than its 10% weight. Smooth on the palate with loads of soft tannins that still have some maturing to go. Still plenty of life and some improvement ahead. Very enjoyable.
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4/26/2021 - maxima wrote: flawed
Bouchonnée!
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4/4/2021 - cugel_saga Likes this wine: 92 Points
After 2 hours in the decanter this really softens and is very good.
Plush, velvety mouth feel. Ripe plums, understated, on the fruit side. Soft leather emerges with pleasant, grippy tannins on the finish.
Improves marvellously over several hours and the last glass is the best.
Nicely balanced and quite sumptuous to drink.
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4/3/2021 - Hschmitz Likes this wine: 90 Points
nydelig st. emilion..........drikker fint nu
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4/1/2021 - Vince_chip Likes this wine: 90 Points
Très bon mais aurait pu attendre encore quelques années, gros depot au fond. Assez profond comme saveur.
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3/31/2021 - gwilliams68 Likes this wine: 90 Points
This was a better bottle than the last one some 6 months back. Graphite/pencil shavings noticeable. Evolving nicely and happy to add a point to my last score.
This is good value wine.
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3/9/2021 - mat600 wrote: 90 Points
Un vin costaud qui donne une bouche typique de bordeaux. Nous retrouvons du cuir, des bleuets, une trame serrée. 90 sur 100.
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12/26/2020 - CME67 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very good but still tastes a bit youthfull. Ill be trying the other bottle i hve in a couple of years time.
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10/26/2020 - gwilliams68 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Energetic and powerful for a modest wine. Grainy tannins and oak still to the fore. Quite spicy. Tails off with no great length. Will provide interesting drinking over next couple of years.
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9/13/2020 - ManuKey Likes this wine: 89 Points
Un St-Émilion qui semble entamer son plateau. Sur des notes de fruits noirs très mûres, de réglisse, de mine de crayon, ainsi que quelques épices. Il démontre une concentration solaire avec des tanins encore présents mais assouplis. Le tout, appuyé par une acidité juste et une vigueur / amertume de bon aloi. Équipé d'une ossature conséquente, il tapisse le palais, avec droiture tout en étant charnu et gourmand. Jolie bouteille à table!
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8/9/2020 - wineforth Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking a bottle a year from a case bought en primeur whilst waiting for the left bank wines to be fully ready to drink. Big nose of violets, plums, blackcurrant and charred oak. Quite full bodied for Bordeaux and more Merlot in character than CS. Super smooth on the palate with loads of very soft tannins. On its plateau of maturity and pretty unchanged in the last three years. Still plenty of life ahead.
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4/12/2020 - denibela Likes this wine: 89 Points
Un vin encore assez jeune, malgré les 10 ans ! Could go a while.
Très intense et foncé, opaque tellement la densité y est. Un nez riche comme on aime les St Emilion, une qualité irréprochable, un vin généreux et complexe.
A very dark st-émilion, dense and complex. Equilibrium but rich and impressive, complex and typical.
Avoir d'autres bouteilles, j'attendrais. Mais on ne se trompe pas à le savourer.
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2/16/2019 - Winefeld wrote: 90 Points
One hour decant. Rubber, fig, camphor, plum, black currant, cola, Earth and liquorice. Good minerality to back the integrated tannins. Started boldly but the intensity faded over the course of the evening. Peaking currently and for the next five years.
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12/2/2018 - BigGDaddy Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking well now. Very smooth Bordeaux with excellent finish. Good balance —has come together nicely.
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9/13/2018 - Muledog71 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opaque in rhe glass, dark red ruby colored. Some oak on rhe nose, tobacco too. Full bodied with dark black fruits. Full on tannins but well behaved, medium plus finish
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8/15/2018 - maxima wrote: 87 Points
Bu en succ.
Bien mais simple et terreux.
Fruit discret, de la terre et du cuir avec des tannins serrés.
Longueur moyenne.
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7/28/2018 - philmtl Likes this wine:
Toujours bien. Elle évolue tranquillement. Agréable maintenant mais la prochaine dans 2 ans.
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7/27/2018 - wineforth Likes this wine: 91 Points
Mostly a repeat of my previous note but today in very hot conditions. I’ve had a bottle a year for several years and it’s improving steadily. Violets, plums, blackcurrant and oak on the nose. This is full bodied for Bordeaux and more Merlot in character than CS. Super smooth on the palate with loads of very soft tannins. Drinking well now and will continue to improve for at least a few years. A real bargain.
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2/22/2018 - LeChapeau wrote: 92 Points
A classic Bordeaux with a nose of dark fruits, rich forest floor, and a bit of cedar and leather. A lush palate, good structure and a long lingering finish make this a wine that begs you to come back for more. Well balanced, with just enough acidity to perfectly complement the fruit. I had this with a grilled Filet Mignon first, and it was an excellent companion, adding dramatically to the enjoyment of the meat. But sipping it afterwards let the wine's subtleties come out, and it's definitely worth drinking on its own. I'll be going back for more of this gem.
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1/31/2018 - F1NUT Likes this wine: 90 Points
Had this on a 3hr Emirates flight. After opening, this is pleasant - medium bodied at best, but very nicely ripe and harmonious. I had another glass and it was again similar.
I managed to charm? the hostess into topping me up a third time and now the wine had opened up. The bouquet really stood out displaying a mixture of mainly ripe red fruits but some dark fruits as well. The description said there is some petit verdot and now I detected that in some intensity and persistence. There is apparently also some chambourcin - I didn't identify that but the third glass after an hour is quite mesmerising of a fruity perfume with some really enjoyable flavours. Smooth tannins from the Merlot, some well judged ripeness still with acidity and everything very much in balance. I started to think this wine was seriously good and the cabin crew indicated it was very popular with passengers.
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12/14/2017 - philmtl Likes this wine:
Valeur solide pour le prix (pour un Bordeaux). Ça se boit déjà bien mais ça reste un peu austère (à noter je n'ai ni carafé, ni laissé respirer, pop & pour). J'ai l'impression qu'un ou 2 ans de plus sous la cravate continuera de l'embellir.
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3/17/2017 - Henry Miller Likes this wine: 92 Points
This showed its ambition 2 years ago, with big, dense body and a lot of oak out of balance. It has now absorbed the oak quite well and the result is a dark, brooding, almost smoky version, with low tone berry fruit and earthy, savory details. Once the palate is trained to not expect the higher tone cherry and berry fruit one would expect, this is really quite satisfying and shows some real class, depth and pedigree. (The 2012 is very similar in style.)
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3/4/2017 - wineforth Likes this wine: 90 Points
Violets, plums, blackcurrant and oak on the nose. This is full bodied for Bordeaux and more Merlot in character than CS. Drinking well now and will continue to improve for at least a few years. The 2015 currently offers excellent value en primeur at £11.50 a bottle.
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11/26/2016 - wineamateur Likes this wine:
Nicely hitting its stride now. Lovely pure fresh fruit, unforced, but good structure too.
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11/4/2016 - wineforth Likes this wine: 90 Points
Improving and drinking well, although some years away from its peak. Merlot nose, has gained body, very much in the 2010 style of being big and well proportioned - all the right junk in all the right places. Some bitterness on the finish that will drop out with the tannins in a few years and become more elegant and interesting. Long. Superb value.
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7/2/2016 - wineforth Likes this wine: 89 Points
Blackcurrant and soy nose. Medium bodied, good length. I expect it to improve over the next couple of years.sweet ripe fruit and plenty of soft tannins.
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9/26/2015 - Nimo Likes this wine: 85 Points
Ouverture astringente, mais retombe vite. Arôme de "réglisse" typique des Bordeaux, belle longueur en bouche à souligner pour le prix. Bien ententdu, mariage parfait avec bœuf saignant.
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10/4/2014 - _water.into.wine_ Likes this wine: 88 Points
Quite a surprisingly dark shade of purple.
Nuts, chocolate, wood and spices.
Very very slight heat.
Smooth with well integrated tannins (albeit slight harshness day 2)
Medium bodied.
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7/2/2014 - Connaître Likes this wine: 87 Points
The 2010 vintage from Château de Fonbel from the Vauthier family did not fulfill my expectations. The wine is rather flat, lacking depth and complexity and, with due respect a thousand miles behind Ausone. However, given its price point, the 2010 is serviceable.
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9/14/2013 - Jeff Leve wrote: 88 Points
Easy going, easy to like, medium bodied, soft wine with ample black raspberry and earthy notes in its character. This is not a wine built for aging. I'd drink it in its first decade of life.
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4/4/2011 - vespasian wrote: 89 Points
Deep, ripe brooding nose. Good concentration, quite pure; thickly textured on the palate. Nice tannins if a bit short. Well-made. 87-90.
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