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James Suckling: So gorgeous. Best ever from here. Medium body with round and caressing tannins and a long finish. Dark berries with hints of roses and other flowers. The texture is so beautiful. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc."
95
Jane Anson: One of my 'benchmark' estates when I assess the overall potential of a vintage, and this very clearly has delicious and powerful aromatics, high floral edge, rosebuds and iris, toasted oak in the best possible way giving sweetness and balance to the acidity. Vivid, full of energy and momentum, this is great quality. Denise Adams owner. 3.55 pH. Harvest September 9 to 19. 40% new oak."
95
Decanter: Gorgeous fragrance on the nose, so inviting and expressive - wild flowers and summer berry fruit aromas. Totally delicious on the palate - refined and elegant, tannins are super fine and delicate and this has a really relaxed, hands off expression with less flesh than some but a crystalline core. Another wine that delivers such exceptional finesse but still with flavour and persistence and energy. 3.55pH. Ageing 16-18 months, 40% new barrels, 20% one year, 20% amphora."
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Jeb Dunnuck: A Merlot-heavy blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc from a hillside terroir on the Côte Pavie, the 2025 Château Fonplégade has a vivid purple hue as well as a classy nose of cassis and ripe red fruits intermixed with chocolaty herbs, graphite, and beautifully integrated oak. It's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a balanced, layered mouthfeel, fine tannins, and a great finish."
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The Wine Cellar Insider: The intoxicating perfume opens with a bouquet of flowers, followed by cherries, black raspberries, orange rind, cocoa, and licorice. The elegant palate delivers its message of soft-textured, refined, pure, sweet, fresh, and creamy fruits from start to finish. Give it just a year, or two in the bottle, and it will be even better. The wine blends 80% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Franc, 13.5% ABV. Drink from 2029-2050."
