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B-21 Top Recommendation
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From the estate owned by renowned enologist and 100 pt. winemaker Michel Rolland, the lush and finessed 95 pt. 2020 Chateau Fontenil boasts dark, ripe polished fruit with elegant, integrated tannins on a long velvety finish, meticulously crafted of Merlot from an excellent vintage that “delivers the goods” according to Neal Martin of Vinous and a superb value.
Located in the lesser known Fronsac appellation on the right bank of the Gironde, Chateau Fontenil was established by Michel Rolland and his wife Dany in the mid-1980s, their search for a family country home leading them to a grand but rundown house in Saillans adjacent to seven hectares of old vines. First purchasing the vineyard and eventually the Chateau, the Rollands spent over a decade on a top to bottom renovation of the estate, restoring the Chateau, modernizing the wine-making facilities and replanting vineyards. Situated on a south facing slope overlooking the river Isle and the town of Libourne, the vineyards span 11 hectares planted mostly to Merlot in clay and limestone soils, located at the highest elevation on the plateau of Fronsac with vines averaging 45 years of age. Manually harvesting and vinifying plot by plot, the 2020 Chateau Fontenil exemplifies Michel Rolland’s supple, opulent style, aged in 60% new French oak for 15-18 months to yield vibrant fruit and smooth, fine grained tannins described as “impeccably balanced” by Antonio Galloni and finishing with “a welcome kick of acidity” according to Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson on a lengthy, elegant finish.
While many of his client’s top scoring Bordeaux blends have sky high prices to match, Michel Rolland’s elegant 95 pt. 2020 Chateau Fontenil is a superb value, “sexy, seamless, straight-up impressive” according to Jeb Dunnuck that’s “well worth a case purchase,” ready to drink and worthy of aging at an unbeatable price that makes it easy for Bordeaux lovers to do both. |
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Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Fontenil slowly emerges from the glass with powerful notes of plum preserves, blueberry compote, and blackberry pie, followed by suggestions of licorice, tar, violets, and crushed rocks. The full-bodied palate is laden with vibrant, expressive black fruits, supported by plush tannins and lovely tension, finishing on a lingering aniseed note.
95 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Mar 2023)
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.
93 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Mar 2023)
This has aromas of plums, orange zest, thyme and nutmeg. Medium-bodied, with tight tannins and fresh acidity. Vibrant and pretty, with so much tension throughout. Better from 2025.
93 points, James Suckling (May 2023)
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