2016 Château Fontenil

93 POINTS

James Suckling

Extremely perfumed and bright with raspberry, currant and dried-flower character. Full-bodied, yet soft and velvety with a flavorful finish. Already gorgeous. Better from 2022.

92 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2016 Fontenil has a well-defined bouquet of red currant and cranberry fruit, crushed rose petals and light peppery aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berries, a fine bead of acidity and quite a persistent finish. Certainly one of the more elegant Fontenils that I have tasted. Superb.

92 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2016 Fontenil is ripe, racy and voluptuous. Floral and blood orange notes add lift and energy to the red berry and raspberry jam fruit. Vibrant and wonderfully inviting, the 2016 has so much to offer. Silky tannins add to the wine's sheer appeal.

91 POINTS

Yves Beck - Yvesbeck.wine

Rouge grenat. Le bouquet de Fontenil se révèle de manière filigrane, élégante. Il laisse apparaître, peu à peu, des notes crayeuses et fruitées avec une touche de framboises et un peu de menthe. Au palais, il se présente d'une manière plus explicite. Il met d'abord son côté crémeux et compact en avant. Ensuite, le caractère aromatique, bien soutenu par la structure, se positionne dans l'ensemble du palais. Finalement, les tannins se révèlent en fin de bouche. Ils sont fins et parfaitement intégrés. Agréable fraîcheur en finale. 2022-2033 91/100

91 POINTS

Neal Martin - Wine Advocate

The 2016 Fontenil has a tightly wound bouquet with blackberry and subtle undergrowth aromas that change towards more marine-like, estuarine scents. There is certainly good complexity here. The palate is nicely poised with plenty of dusky black fruit. There is actually a very slight green edge...not under-ripe, perhaps more a leafiness that actually complements this Fronsac and lends freshness. I think this will turn out very fine once in bottle.

91 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Wine Advocate

The 2016 Fontenil is medium to deep garnet-purple colored and gives up exuberant red cherries, black raspberries, wild blueberries and cinnamon stick scents with hints of wild sage and forest floor. Medium-bodied, refreshing and wonderfully elegant, it has beautiful vibrancy and a perfumed finish.

91 POINTS

James Molesworth - Wine Spectator

Sleek in feel, with racy acidity pulling the raspberry and plum fruit along from the get-go. The chalky minerality is well-embedded on the finish. Solid.—J.M.

91 POINTS

Bettane & Desseauve - Bettane & Desseauve

Solide et intense, vivacité et profondeur.