(94-96 points) 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. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2020&wine=Chateau%20Fonplegade

Beautiful aromatics, vibrant, full of clarity and bright fruit delivery. Plum, blueberry, bursting with juicy life. Keeps delivering on the palate also, sprightly and vibrant, and soaked in limestone, wet stone personality. Has good depth of flavour, with a kick on the finish. Will age well, this is great stuff, a brilliant example of St-Emilion limestone. A buy! First year certified biodynamic with Biodyvin (certified organic since 2013). A yield of 35hl/ha.

Gorgeous, totally fulfilling its En Primeur promise. This has a mix of fresh, vibrant floral aromatics, with peony and raspberry leaf, set against concentrated plush damson plum and raspberry fruits with a kick of wet stone minerality. First year certified biodynamic with Biodyvin (certified organic since 2013). A yield of 35hl/ha.

(JD 93-95 points) Emerging from a great hillside terroir on the Côte Pavie, the 2020 Château Fonplégade should be up there with the top vintages from this estate. Lots of cassis, blackberries, and earthy, violet notes define the nose, and I love its purity, freshness, and precision. These traits all carry over to the palate as well, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with terrific tannins and a finish that keeps you coming back to the glass.

(WA 93-95 points) Deep purple-black colored, the 2020 Fonplegade offers up notes of chocolate-covered cherries, mulberries and blackberry preserves, followed by hints of smoked meats, cinnamon toast and potpourri. The medium to full-bodied palate bursts with juicy black fruits, supported by velvety tannins and well-balanced acidity, finishing long and fragrant. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Attractive aromas of ripe black and blue fruit with crushed violets, walnut and dark chocolate. Some dried leaves, too. Medium- to full-bodied with a plush and supple palate that offers an array of ripe, racy tannins and a crunchy, deep berry character. Structured and focused with a juicy finish. Drink after 2025.

The 2020 Fonplégade is elegant, gracious and lifted, just as it was from barrel. Bright acids lend notable energy in this silky, nuanced Saint-Émilion. Crushed red berry fruit, cinnamon, mint and blood orange are all woven together in this very pretty, alluring Saint-Émilion. This is beautifully done. -- Antonio Galloni