2006 Château Fonplegade

(91% merlot, 7% cabernet franc and 2% cabernet sauvignon) Good red-ruby. Captivating aromas of dark raspberry, graphite and crushed rock. Dense, ripe and sexy, with palate-saturating flavors of raspberry, cherry pit, candied violet, licorice, minerals and smoke. At once smooth and energetic, sweet and firmly structured. Finishes broad and suave, with smoke and roasted coffee notes and a strong impression of soil. A very successful modern-style Saint-Emilion.

A superb effort from this property’s new American ownership, the 2006 exhibits a deep ruby/purple color along with aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, spring flowers, crushed rocks, charcoal, and background toast. Full-bodied, rich, and complete with a juicy mid-palate as well as sweet tannins, it can be drunk now or cellared for 12-15 years.

Bright red-ruby. Highly aromatic nose combines exotic fruit scents, a suggestion of hard candy and lively mineral notes. Vinous and suave but not at all overly sweet, with a juicy, penetrating quality to the fruit, mineral and spice flavors. Finishes with good tannic spine and grip. I like this style.