2020 Fontenil

The classic 2020 Château Fontenil from this Fronsac château is a winner and well worth a case purchase. Giving up lots of spiced red and black fruits, smoked tobacco, and flowery incense notes, it's medium to full-bodied, has a round, supple, elegant texture, beautiful tannins, and nicely integrated oak. This sexy, seamless, straight-up impressive Fronsac will evolve for at least a decade.

The 2020 Fontenil has an attractive, well-defined nose with dark cherry and crushed strawberry fruit. Blacker elements emerge with time, a little earthy with a hint of cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, fine acidity; fresh and endowed with an elegant finish that would surprise a few of Michel Rolland's detractors. Lovely length. Just delicious.

The 2020 Fontenil is deep, fleshy and super-expressive. Silky, plush tannins wrap around a core of blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol and licorice. All the elements are so impeccably balanced.