Chateau Fontenil is the “baby” of famed Bordeaux oenologist Michel Rolland. Located in Fronsac, near the St. Émilion and Pomerol appellations, this wine gets all the best treatment. Whole cluster fermentation in 100% new wood, and final aging in 60% new oak, the wine is treated royally – and it shows in the great 2015 vintage. What makes this even more interesting is that a portion of the production is Kosher! (That is, produced and bottled under rabbinical supervision.) The result is a sultry, no-holds-barred style that can be enjoyed now or put away for further development. My, how Kosher wines have improved!
2015 Chateau Fontenil, Fronsac $42 srp
A saturated purple, lightening to ruby in color. Vibrant and spicy bouquet of cassis, blackberry, licorice and mint. Overtones of tobacco, leather and forest floor add to the very complex experience. This is heady stuff. The mouthfeel is seamless, with chocolate-covered baked cherry notes, surrounded by a velvety sense of vanilla, mushroom, mocha and pepper on the dry, concentrated finish. This is a medium-full bodied effort that is lush and worthy of conversation. Quite delicious now, it will reward short-term cellaring. Drink now-2022.
92/100 points
