2001 Château Fontenil

Very deep crimson. Rich, meat-and-two-veg nose. A little rustic and heavily oaked but the fruit is obviously very promising. Tiring finish. (JR)

As hard as it is to believe, Fontenil’s 2001 may be even better than their 2000. In fact, it may be the finest Fontenil to date, and a credit to the brilliant winemaking/proprietor team of Dany and Michel Rolland. A sleeper of the vintage as well as a good value, it boasts a dense ruby/purple color along with a big, sweet nose of creosote, black currant liqueur, melted licorice, and a hint of minerals. Medium-bodied, with layers of fruit, a beautiful texture, and an opulent finish, this heady Fronsac can be drunk over the next 10-12 years. Bravo!

Very, very deep colour. Opulent at first, then chewy. Slightly heavy. Needs lift. (JR)