Sign In

2019 Château Fonplegade

Minimum Bid is $45
Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific

ITEM 10164503 - Removed from a temperature and humidity controlled wine storage unit

Bidder Amount Total
$45
Item Sold Amount Date
I10135590 1 $45 Jun 1, 2025
2019 Château Fonplegade

RATINGS

95James Suckling

Plums, dark cherries, blueberries, cedar, amber, dried herbs and baking spices on the nose. Full-bodied with plush tannins. Structured, balanced and intense...polished, rich core of dark and blue fruit and a long, flavorful finish.

95Decanter Magazine (points)

Gorgeous aromatics include cherry, aniseed and menthol freshness...medium-bodied palate...whiff of oak in the initial, powerful attack, but then the wine broadly coats the palate with violet, plum, cherry and lead pencil aspects, exhibiting fresh notes in its vinous palate...long finish. Clearly of high calibre.

94Wine Enthusiast

...fine texture with rich tannins and powerful structure...concentrated and juicy, superripe, a sign of the high proportion of Merlot in the blend, and full-bodied. Organic and biodynamic.

92The Wine Advocate

...delivers aromas of cherries, plums, licorice and pencil shavings, follow by a medium to full-bodied, deep and refined palate that concludes with a saline, attractively floral finish.

92Wine Spectator

...thickly textured dark fruit...steeped plum and blackberry notes cruising through slowly, carried by alder, loam and tobacco threads. Gains nuance as it airs in the glass, showing light chalky minerality for energy and balance in the process.

91Vinous / IWC

...cohesive and well-defined nose of red berry fruit, sous-bois and dry tobacco, the oak neatly folded into the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a little chewiness on the entry, fine acidity, maybe a little rustic compared to others but it has freshness and charm.

17Jancis Robinson

Light, unfussy, ripe-berry aroma. Good palate impact. Neat... Long.

PRODUCER

Château Fonplegade

Château Fonplegade is a Grand Cru in the St.-Emilion appellation of Bordeaux. The 48-acre estate was founded in 1852 and in the later 19th century was for a time owned by siblings of Napoleon III. Today the estate is owned by Americans Stephen and Denise Adams, who also own Château L’Enclos and White Cottage Winery in Napa Valley. The couple invested in improvements and hired consulting oenologist Michel Rolland. Château Fonplegade is 95% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. The second wine is Fleur de Fonplegade.

REGION

France, Bordeaux, St.-Émilion

Saint-Émilion is on the east side of the Dordogne River. At 13,400 acres it is one of Bordeaux’s largest appellations, and perhaps its most picturesque. It is also home to what has been called “the garagiste” movement of upstart, tradition-defying winemakers who produce artisanal wines in styles that are unconventional for the appellation. The village of Saint-Émilion dates from the middle ages and it sits on low hills, surrounded by ancient walls. Like its neighbor Pomerol, Saint-Émilion was not included in the famous Bordeaux classification system of 1855. But a century later a ranking system was put in place, and unlike the classification system for the Medoc, the Saint-Émilion system is reviewed every ten years, meaning that estates can be upgraded or downgraded. There are three rankings: Grand Cru Classé, Premier Grand Cru Classé B and Premier Grand Cru Classé A, with the final ranking being the best. Such legendary Saint-Émilion estates as Châteaux Ausone and Cheval-Blanc are Premier Grand Cru Classé A, along with Châteaux Pavie and Angélus, both added to the classification in 2012. Wines in this appellation are primarily Merlot, mixed with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.