2012 Chateau Fonplegade Grand Cru

France / Bordeaux / Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Rouge
 
Château Fonplégade Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé presents an incredible deep purple color. The nose develops strong flavours of red and black fruits. The palate reveals a lot of fruits and already showing an appealing soft roundness. Incredibly soft tannins supported by a wonderful acidity that provides a remarkably long finish. The purest expression of a complex terroir.
 
The Wine Cellar Insider/Jeff Leve tasting notes 92/100 (November 2015): "The wine continues to flesh out as it ages. Loads of licorice, stone, flowers, black cherry, and plum notes, with just a hint of espresso bean. Rich, silky, round, and fresh, give it five years in the bottle and it should be even better".

Blend:
A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
 
Ratings vintage 2012:
International Wine Challenge: Gold (2015).
Le Guide Hachette des Vins: 1 Star (2016).
 
Nestled amidst the vineyard of Fonplégade is the fountain which gave its name to the Château Fonplégade; literally "fountain of plenty". Fonplégade's fame particularly grew when it was acquired by the Duke of Morny and the Countess of Galard, the half-brother and half-sister of Napoleon III. During this period Fonplégade was honored with the Golden Medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1867 and became Premier Grand Cru Classé, distinction that would continue until the mid-1940's. 
In 2004, a second belle époque began for Château Fonplégade. Under the stewardship of owners Stephen and Denise Adams, who also own Pomerol's acclaimed Château L'Enclos, Château Fonplégade has benefited from a period of unprecedented revitalization. Both the cellar and the winery have been completely renovated, and the vineyard has undergone a period of passionate renewal; Seven levels (18ha) of flat and terraced sections with three distinctive soil types; limestone, clay, and sand.