Château de Fonbel 2021

Tasting Notes and Serving Suggestions for Château de Fonbel 2021

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a deep ruby-red hue with violet highlights, bright and gleaming.

Nose

The nose opens with aromas of red and black fruit (red plum, black cherry, blackberry), alongside spicy notes of white pepper and licorice. Floral touches of violet and peony round out the bouquet, with subtle hints of tobacco and minerality.

Palate

On the palate, the attack is refined and elegant. The mouthfeel is silky, with remarkably well-integrated tannins despite the wine’s youth. The structure unfolds around flavors of ripe fruit and spices, supported by a lively, refreshing acidity that brings balance and energy. The finish lingers gracefully with fruity and spicy notes, complemented by delicate vanilla nuances.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with grilled red meats, notably a ribeye steak or lamb chops. It also matches beautifully with game dishes such as roast duck or venison, as well as pan-seared wild mushrooms. Aged hard cheeses, such as Comté, also make a harmonious pairing.

Serving and cellaring

Château de Fonbel 2021 can be enjoyed now but will gain in complexity with 4 to 5 years of cellaring. It is best served at 16-18°C. Decanting for one hour will allow its aromas to fully express themselves. This wine can be cellared until around 2037 under good cellar conditions.

An elegant, refined Saint-Émilion Grand Cru from Bordeaux’s Right Bank

The estate

Created in its modern era in 1971, Château de Fonbel is a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru located on Bordeaux’s Right Bank. Owned by the Vauthier family since that time, the estate spans 16 hectares south of the village of Saint-Émilion, across a mosaic of clay-sandy, gravelly, and sandy soils, with vines averaging around 25 years of age. Alain Vauthier runs the estate alongside his daughter, Pauline Vauthier. Fonbel stands out as an experimental vineyard for the prestigious Château Ausone, with comparable quality standards.

The vineyard

The Château de Fonbel vineyard is located in the southern part of the Saint-Émilion appellation, on flatland terroir characterized by sandy-gravel and clay soils. This mosaic of terroirs lends the wine freshness and elegance. The vines, around 25 years old, are farmed with respect for the environment. Since 2020, the estate has been engaged in a conversion to organic farming, reflecting the Vauthier family’s commitment to sustainable viticulture that respects the Saint-Émilion terroir.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Bordeaux featured contrasting weather conditions. After a mild, wet winter, spring was marked by frost episodes. Summer was characterized by an alternation of sunny periods and moderate rainfall, promoting gradual ripening of the grapes. These conditions helped preserve the wines’ freshness and elegance, with fine natural acidity. The 2021 vintage stands out for its fresh, balanced profile.

Winemaking and aging

The 2021 Château de Fonbel harvest was carried out by hand, with rigorous grape selection. Vinification takes place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, allowing precise temperature management and the preservation of fruity aromas. Aging lasts approximately ten to twelve months in French oak barrels, 30% of which are new. This moderate proportion of new oak brings structure and complexity while preserving the expression of the fruit and terroir.

Grape varieties

Merlot (70%)
Cabernet Sauvignon (15%)
Carmenère (7%)
Petit Verdot (7%)