2004 Fonplegade

Fonplegade’s new American owners are pumping enormous resources into this long-forgotten terroir/chateau, and the results are increasingly impressive. The 2004 boasts a deep ruby/purple color along with a sweet perfume of black fruits, crushed rocks, flowers, and spicy oak. It is medium-bodied with rich fruit, sweet tannin, and enough structure to suggest it will benefit from 2-3 more years of bottle age. It should drink nicely for 12-15 years.

Medium ruby. Aromatic nose of black raspberry, minerals and espresso, with a faint herbaceous note. Then sweet and solid but a bit withdrawn, even youthfully austere, with good energy in the middle palate. A juicy, fairly structured wine that finishes with slightly drying tannins.

Pleasant medium-bodied red, with clean black cherry, berry and mineral character, fine tannins and a lightly firm finish. Best after 2007. 1,665 cases made.-James Suckling, Wine Spectator 2007