"We made the cardiovascular challenge up the hill to Chateau Ausone, who also own Chateau Fonbel. Mr Vauthier is always on hand to show the result of his magnificent work on all his properties, always a treat. We have followed Fonbel for many years and feel this is one of their most exciting offerings.
85% merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and interestingly 10% carmenere. Red berry fruit with its usual plush exterior this will give enormous drinking pleasure from 2026 and well beyond. Great value!! James Nicholson, (April 2023)
"The 2022 de Fonbel is a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Carmenere and has a deep garnet-purple color. It flies out of the glass with energetic notes of crushed blackberries, boysenberries, and raspberry coulis, leading to suggestions of Indian spices, pencil shavings, and iron ore. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and opulent, delivering mouth-watering freshness contrasted with powerful, firm, rounded tannins, finishing very long and fruity. Impressive!"
92 - 94 points.
Lisa Perotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent (May 2023)
"A juicy and flavorful red with lots of red fruits, currants, cloves and some nutmeg. It's full and layered with lots of fruit. 85% merlot, 10% cabernet sauvignon and 5% carmenere.
92 - 93 points."
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, (April 2023)
"Deep crimson hue. Fragrant and fresh like Simard but a bit more grip and length on the finish. Just the right amount of mid-palate sweetness. Normally Good Value. Drink 2026 - 2034."
16+ points.
James Lawther, Jancis Robinson Purple Pages, (April 2023)
"From a 16-hectare vineyard on sandy soils on the plain, the 2022 Fonbel has turned out nicely, offering up aromas of cherries, blood orange and petals, followed by a medium to full-bodied, supple and nicely concentrated palate with a sweet core of fruit. Drink to 2035."
91 points.
William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (March 2025)
