2010 Château Fontenil

Bright, full red-ruby. Sexy nose combines raspberry, flowers, menthol and crushed rock accented by licorice and mint. Juicy, spicy and firm, with sound acidity enlivening the flavors of blueberry and licorice. Not at all overdone; in fact, a bit youthfully disjointed today owing to its acidity. Finishes fresh and persistent, with serious, dusty tannins spreading out to coat the incisors. I'd wait four or five years before pulling the cork.

The 2010 Fontenil displays loads of crushed rock and floral notes intermixed with raspberries, red currants and some darker fruits such as blueberries. It is medium to full-bodied, with relatively soft tannins but good acidity, ripeness and focus. It should drink nicely for at least a decade. There is not as much difference as one might expect between these two wines from the home estate of Dany and Michel Rolland.

Fresh and lifted with some rather obvious sweet purple notes underneath. Chewy end. Minerals on the finish. (JR)