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Lisa Perrotti-Brown: Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 Fonbadet soars from the glass with classic notes of cassis and ripe plums, followed by hints of violets, graphite, and tilled soil. The medium-bodied palate is filled with bright black berry flavors, supported by grainy tannins and a refreshing line, finishing on a minerally note. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. The alcohol is 13%."
93
Jane Anson: Such an enjoyable wine, with an ease and flavourful character. Great quality, delicious spice and lift, plenty of Pauillac DNA, graphite, crayon and dark pepper, this is very easy to recommend. Harvest September 8 to October 1. 54 hl/ha yield."
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Decanter: Tight at the moment, little tannic and serious but well framed with structure and fruit at the fore. Pure and dark, but cool and fresh too, not too sunny at all. Tension and muscles but not over the top. I like it a lot. Very Pauillac. Cool blue fruit, some oak still. Compact but good potential."
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Falstaff: Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feines rotes Waldbeerkonfit, frische Herzkirschen, dezente Holzwürze, mit Orangenzesten unterlegt. Saftig, elegant, reife Herzkirschen, eingebundene Tannine, mineralisch, zarte Extraktsüße im Abgang, gutes Reifepotenzial."
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James Suckling: A firm and tight red with black currant, graphite and stone character. Medium-bodied. Polished and thoughtful."
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Jeb Dunnuck: A big, rich, and concentrated beauty, the 2025 Château Fonbadet has been dramatically restructured from 11 hectares down to 1.5. Red and black fruits, graphite, lead pencil, and chocolate, as well as crushed stone, all define the aromatics of this inky, full-bodied, mouthfilling Pauillac. Based on 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot that will spend 16 to 18 months in 50% new French oak, it has solid tannins and a great finish. It's going to come together nicely in bottle and has ample classic Pauillac character."
