The 2016 Fonplegade Bordeaux Blend hails from the prestigious Saint-Emilion sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This red wine, produced by Fonplegade, is composed predominantly of Merlot (90%) with a smaller portion of Cabernet Franc (10%). It boasts an alcohol content of 14.5% and is sealed with a traditional cork closure.

Esteemed reviewers have lauded the 2016 vintage for its complexity and potential. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it an impressive score of 96+, highlighting its "very savory nose" with notes of smoked meats, plum preserves, and chocolate-covered cherries. The reviewer, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, emphasized the wine's "intensity and elegance," noting its firm, fine-grained tannins and mineral-laced finish.

Decanter also praised the wine with a score of 96, describing it as "seriously impressive" with flavors of "dark chocolate spread, liquorice root and slate edging." The publication noted its rich fruit profile, refreshed by crushed mint leaves. Decanter remarked on the wine's potential longevity and value, considering it one of the bargains of the vintage.

James Suckling rated the wine 95 points, appreciating its "suave, modern-style" with blackberry aromas and a "long, clean and supple finish." Meanwhile, Jeb Dunnuck compared it to the successful 2015 vintage, noting its "ripe, fleshy, sexy" character loaded with "jammy blackberry, cassis, dried earth, and spice."

Wine Spectator offered a score of 92, commending its "delightfully fruit-filled" nature and velvety structure, while Wine Enthusiast highlighted the wine's "powerful tannins" and potential for aging.

Overall, the 2016 Fonplegade is a well-received Bordeaux blend with a rich, complex profile and a promising future, making it a noteworthy choice for both immediate enjoyment and cellaring.