Château Fombrauge 2019

Falling under the Bernard Magrez umbrella, the 2019 Château Fombrauge is another sweetly fruited, sexy Saint-Emilion with loads of black fruits, tobacco leaf, graphite, chocolate, and violet aromas and flavors. It packs tons of fruit on the palate as well as no hard edges, remarkable purity of fruit, silky tannins, and a great finish. It's certainly not for the old-school Claret-only lovers out there, but it’s a pleasure-bent, gorgeous wine I'd be happy to drink. It should shine right out of the gate and keep for two decades. Tasted twice.

This is really juicy and delicious with dark berries and hints of chocolate and hazelnuts. It’s medium-to full-bodied with silky tannins and a fresh finish. I like the reserved nature of this. Holding back.

At 58ha in St Christophe de Bardes, this is a substantial estate for St Emilion. Well expressed sappy black fruits, as ever this is muscular and enjoyable, not afraid of making its presence felt. Good quality, not my favourite of the Magrez estates but extremely consistent. 40% new oak. Michel Rolland consultant. Drinking Window 2027 - 2040.

Barrel Sample. While this wine is tightly structured, it also has plenty of generous black fruits that give succulent ripeness. The wine should certainly age well.