2017 Fontenil 6 Pack

91 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Wine Advocate

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored the 2017 Fontenil comes prancing out of the glass with cheery kirsch and black raspberry scents followed by notions of warm plums, star anise and pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegant, stylish and refreshing with well-played, soft tannins and a perfumed finish. Drinking Window : 2020 - 2032

91 POINTS

Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider

With suitable color, the nose kicks in with flowers, black cherry, licorice and smoke. On the palate, you'll find Rubenesque, lusciously textured, sweet black cherries, plums and soft, chubby textures with the perfect amount of bitter chocolate to round things off in the end.

91 POINTS

James Suckling

Plenty of flowers and red berries on offer here. This has a spicy-oak edge and delivers a very plush, juicy, red-fruited palate with smooth, fine tannins that soften up at the finish. Drink or hold.

90 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2017 Fontenil is well defined, and quite focused compared to the previous two vintages. It has a rather conservative bouquet that nevertheless has fine intensity with attractive black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, just a nagging green vein towards the second half that just discombobulates the finish and lingers unwanted on the aftertaste. That may dissipate during the élevage – we will see.

90 POINTS

Jeb Dunnuck

I continue to love the wines from Fontenil, which is the home estate of consultant Michel Rolland. The 2017 Château Fontenil is a pleasure-bent effort that has a ripe, rounded, impressively textured style as well as plenty of plum, blackberry and cassis fruit, herbs, and hints of violet-like aromatics. Drink it anytime over the coming decade. It offers more pleasure than most in the vintage.

90 POINTS

James Molesworth - Wine Spectator

Ripe and forward plum and blueberry fruit sails through, featuring a light charcoal spine for balance. Shows flashes of herb and spice, with some sneaky length.—J.M.

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

Ripe with generous tannins and rich fruit, this is a soft, juicy wine full of blackberry notes. The wine will develop quickly and be ready to drink from 2022.

Jacques Perrin - Vinifera

Nez chatoyant, expressif, sur le fruit. La bouche est en léger décalage avec un fruité plus ténu et une finale pas totalement accomplie à ce stade.