Wine Advocate (96+)

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Fonplegade opens with a very savory nose of smoked meats, tapenade, sautéed herbs and beef drippings over a core of plum preserves, chocolate-covered cherries and cedar chest plus wafts of violets and cigars. Medium to full-bodied, the palate possesses both intensity and elegance, with the black fruit layers superbly framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing long and mineral laced.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2017 Fonplégade is classy, polished and simply impeccable in its balance. The Fonplégade is not a huge wine, but it has really gained in finesse over the course of its aging. Sweet red cherry, pomegranate, blood orange, mint and cinnamon add character to this racy, silky, exceptionally polished Saint-Émilion. Floral overtones add brightness to the finish.

Wine Advocate (93-95)

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Fonplegade strides confidently out of the glass with bold black cherries, warm plums and black raspberry scents plus hints of cedar chest, pencil shavings, lavender, garrigue and camphor. Full-bodied, rich and packed with expressive black fruits, it has a firm, velvety texture and just enough freshness, finishing long.

The Wine Cellar Insider (94-96)

Crushed rocks, currants, cherries, flowers, licorice, smoke, cocoa and espresso covers all the bases in the perfume. Elegant and edgy, silky, soft and mineral driven, the fruits show a beautiful purity, freshness and refinement on the palate, leaving you with salty tannins and sweet plums that continue to linger and expand in the finish. The wine is made from a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93-95)

The 2021 Fonplégade is classy and refined to the core. It possesses terrific depth, with sweet floral aromatics and fine-grained tannins that convey finesse. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice and bright saline notes all meld together. Fonplégade is built more on vertical persistence than volume. It is one of the most elegant Saint-Émilions of the vintage and a terrific effort from proprietors Denise and Stephen Adams. Tasted three times.

Decanter (96)

Power and structure in abundance, but it’s the spellbinding acidity that propels this stunning effort skyward. A shy nose of raspberries and sandalwood opens into a concentrated, long and impressively fruit driven palate (90% Merlot). Still grippy; needs time.

Vinous - Neal Martin (90-92)

The 2017 Fonroque has a perfumed bouquet with redcurrant and crushed strawberry fruit, a touch of vanilla and a faint touch of cedar and dark chocolate. It opens nicely with aeration but never gets carried away (as Alain Moueix’s wines tend not to!) The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity, fresh and tender in the mouth with quite a long, silky finish. Delightful!

Jancis Robinson (17)

Full bottle 1,325 g. Cask sample taken 7 April. Certified organic. Medium-intensity purple. Quite a distinctive nose of vegetation and herbs rather than brow-beating sweet fruit – attractive. Then on the palate there's some richness but this seems to have more elements at play than many of its peers. More transparent and expressive. Finishes decidedly dry but not drying. 14%

Wine Advocate (94)

The 2022 Franc-Mayne has turned out beautifully, bursting with aromas of sweet raspberries and blueberries mingled with espresso roast, spices, rose petals and violets. Medium to full-bodied, suave and seamless, it's lively and textural, with sweet tannins and a long, perfumed finish.

Wine Advocate (87-89)

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Immerse yourself in the rich, complex flavours of Godeau 2019, a sublime Bordeaux blend crafted by Stéphane Courrèges in Saint-Etienne-de-Lisse. Nestled in the heart of St. Emilion, this fine wine reveals the meticulous dedication to traditional vinicultural practices and innovation that defines Courrèges’ philosophy. Godeau 2019 is a testament to its prestigious terroir, featuring an elegant blend of primarily Merlot grapes with nuances of Cabernet Franc.

Aged to perfection in French oak barrels, Godeau 2019 offers an unparalleled deep-ruby hue accompanying vivid tasting notes of ripe cherries, blackberries, with a delicate echo of earthy spices. Its lively acidity balances beautifully with silky tannins, offering a lingering finish that captivates the palate. Time-honoured in both essence and execution, Godeau 2019 promises a remarkable harmony of robust intensity and grace. Sip, savour and celebrate the enchanting journey of exquisite refinement Godeau 2019 affords every discerning oenophile.

Immerse yourself in the rich, complex flavours of Godeau 2019, a sublime Bordeaux blend crafted by Stéphane Courrèges in Saint-Etienne-de-Lisse. Nestled in the heart of St. Emilion, this fine wine reveals the meticulous dedication to traditional vinicultural practices and innovation that defines Courrèges’ philosophy. Godeau 2019 is a testament to its prestigious terroir, featuring an elegant blend of primarily Merlot grapes with nuances of Cabernet Franc.

Aged to perfection in French oak barrels, Godeau 2019 offers an unparalleled deep-ruby hue accompanying vivid tasting notes of ripe cherries, blackberries, with a delicate echo of earthy spices. Its lively acidity balances beautifully with silky tannins, offering a lingering finish that captivates the palate. Time-honoured in both essence and execution, Godeau 2019 promises a remarkable harmony of robust intensity and grace. Sip, savour and celebrate the enchanting journey of exquisite refinement Godeau 2019 affords every discerning oenophile.

Immerse yourself in the rich, complex flavours of Godeau 2019, a sublime Bordeaux blend crafted by Stéphane Courrèges in Saint-Etienne-de-Lisse. Nestled in the heart of St. Emilion, this fine wine reveals the meticulous dedication to traditional vinicultural practices and innovation that defines Courrèges’ philosophy. Godeau 2019 is a testament to its prestigious terroir, featuring an elegant blend of primarily Merlot grapes with nuances of Cabernet Franc.

Aged to perfection in French oak barrels, Godeau 2019 offers an unparalleled deep-ruby hue accompanying vivid tasting notes of ripe cherries, blackberries, with a delicate echo of earthy spices. Its lively acidity balances beautifully with silky tannins, offering a lingering finish that captivates the palate. Time-honoured in both essence and execution, Godeau 2019 promises a remarkable harmony of robust intensity and grace. Sip, savour and celebrate the enchanting journey of exquisite refinement Godeau 2019 affords every discerning oenophile.

Exhibiting the pure finesse of Saint-Emilion vineyards, Godeau 2020 is a stellar representation of the mastery of recoltant Gérard Perse. This classic Bordeaux hails from the limestone and clay soil of the estate's 7-hectare plot in the heart of Saint-Emilion, crafted with a blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Each grape is meticulously handpicked and sorted before aged in French oak barrels. The result is a wine of exceptional calibre and complexity.

On the palate, Godeau 2020 presents abundant notes of dark fruit and exotic spices, underscored by a robust tannic structure and a persistent, elegantly layered finish. Critics commend its balance, intensity, and age-worthiness, routinely ranking it amongst the commune's top offerings. Godeau 2020 is an opulent expression of everything a true wine connoisseur seeks from a Bordeaux – power, precision, and old-world charm.

Exhibiting the pure finesse of Saint-Emilion vineyards, Godeau 2020 is a stellar representation of the mastery of recoltant Gérard Perse. This classic Bordeaux hails from the limestone and clay soil of the estate's 7-hectare plot in the heart of Saint-Emilion, crafted with a blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Each grape is meticulously handpicked and sorted before aged in French oak barrels. The result is a wine of exceptional calibre and complexity.

On the palate, Godeau 2020 presents abundant notes of dark fruit and exotic spices, underscored by a robust tannic structure and a persistent, elegantly layered finish. Critics commend its balance, intensity, and age-worthiness, routinely ranking it amongst the commune's top offerings. Godeau 2020 is an opulent expression of everything a true wine connoisseur seeks from a Bordeaux – power, precision, and old-world charm.

Exhibiting the pure finesse of Saint-Emilion vineyards, Godeau 2020 is a stellar representation of the mastery of recoltant Gérard Perse. This classic Bordeaux hails from the limestone and clay soil of the estate's 7-hectare plot in the heart of Saint-Emilion, crafted with a blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Each grape is meticulously handpicked and sorted before aged in French oak barrels. The result is a wine of exceptional calibre and complexity.

On the palate, Godeau 2020 presents abundant notes of dark fruit and exotic spices, underscored by a robust tannic structure and a persistent, elegantly layered finish. Critics commend its balance, intensity, and age-worthiness, routinely ranking it amongst the commune's top offerings. Godeau 2020 is an opulent expression of everything a true wine connoisseur seeks from a Bordeaux – power, precision, and old-world charm.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90-92)

(90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc) Bright deep ruby. Superripe, liqueur-like aromas of currant and griotte cherry. Lush, thick and concentrated, with more obvious spine than the Angelots. Firm tannins are nicely supported by the wine's impressive density. Shows more finesse than the 2000 and doesn't taste at all overextracted, despite the fact that Gracia did more pigeage than in the previous year.

Jeb Dunnuck (97)

In the same ballpark as the 2016, the 2015 Château Gracia is a blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon raised all in new oak. It’s another Rockstar effort from this estate that pairs sensational richness and depth with phenomenal elegance, purity and a weightlessness that’s hard to believe. Cassis, toasty oak, damp earth, violets, and smoked herb nuances all flow to a full-bodied, layered, multi-dimensional Saint-Emilion that has incredible sex appeal, yet is just as complex, layered and nuanced. It’s an incredible wine!