2000 Le Defi de Fontenil

Community Tasting Notes (10) Avg Score: 91.9 points

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  7/25/2018 - Saint Stephen wrote: 93 Points

  I bought exactly one bottle of Le Defi 15 or so years ago and have held it ever since. Why does this make it difficult to open such a bottle? Alas. This is very good wine. It is bolder than I expected. I politely disagree with the two most recent reviewers in that I find this to have copious Right Bank characteristics. Bountiful red fruit, well resolved tannin, a bit of the typical tertiary Bordeaux flavors but not much. This is great now and I doubt it will improve from here - that said, it sure feels like it's full of stuffing and will last for a long time. Cheers.

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  7/1/2016 - broadband013 Likes this wine: 91 Points

  étonnament fruité pour son age.
  Très très agréable.
  à boire ou à garder encore 1-2 ans.

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  4/9/2016 - VlgJeff Likes this wine: 94 Points

  As mentioned below by Collector1855, this wine is classified as a Vin de Table (for the reasons cited), but Michel & Dany Rolland consider it to be their top cuvee, with limited production, and "ageing worthy of a Grand Cru". I might have to agree, especially given that the wine is 100% merlot. If tasted blind, you would bet that it was left bank, albeit with a significant merlot component. The red fruit profile runs the range from light to dark, the oak and tannins are fully integrated (after 30 min. slow-oxed), and the wine is a mouthful of pleasure. At peak, and may hold for another 3-5 years.

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  9/13/2015 - Collector1855 wrote: 93 Points

  Checking in on some younger Bordeaux and other treasures with a fellow collector friend. This Fronsac wine from Michel Rolland is classified “Vin de table de France” by the INAO due to deviations from standard vineyard mgmt, e.g., covering the ground with plastic sheeting to avoid rain to penetrate. Tasting note: Medium-dark ruby. Expressive nose of dark fruit, barnyard, forest floor, very Medoc, not right bank in style. Medium bodied palate with good balance of the components. Soft tannins, fully mature. A pleasure to drink, at peak now, so drink up.

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  4/25/2011 - sleepyhaus wrote:

  Very dense and tightly wound. Still showing a strong veil of oak treatment over its dark fruit. This should have more years, but if consumed now, give it lots of time.

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