Château Fonroque 2012 – Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé

The nose is deep, warm, complex and gourmand. It expresses notes of roasted (roasted red cherry, cranberry jam) and dried (dried red cherry, dried cranberries) red fruits, as well as ripe black fruits (blackcurrant, black plum, morello cherry), candied and dried (cherry jam, dried blueberry, prunes, blackcurrant jam). There is also an expressive and savory spiciness: notes of black pepper, ground clove, liquorice, star anise, as well as touches of dried flowers (dried rose petals, a slight note of faded rose, peony), roasted aromatic herbs (roasted bouquet garni) and cocoa powder. The wine also offers notes of development: undergrowth and a very slight note of mushrooms in the background. On the palate, the wine offers power and complex, warming and expressive flavours. It reveals touches of roasted red cherry, stewed morello cherry, prunes, crème de cassis, as well as some freshness of crushed strawberries, black plums and fresh blackcurrants, accompanied by notes of liquorice stick, star anise , cloves, coffee, cocoa, roasted aromatic herbs and dried flowers (dried rose petals, dried cornflower, dried peony). The tannins are fine, but solid, with a certain bitterness on the finish. The acidity is lively and refreshes the vinous side on the finish and the roasted and jammy fruit flavors. A full-bodied and powerful wine. Good length in the mouth.