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2018 Château Fonplegade

Minimum Bid is $65
Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific

ITEM 9811752 - Removed from a temperature and humidity controlled wine storage unit

Bidder Amount Total
$65
Item Sold Amount Date
I9506089 6 $60 Jun 9, 2024
2018 Château Fonplegade

RATINGS

95The Wine Advocate

...bold notions of black cherry preserves, mulberries and ripe, juicy black plums, leading to suggestions of Indian spices, dried roses and smoked meats plus a touch of tar. The medium to full-bodied palate is beautifully crafted, dripping with poise and sophistication, draped in plush tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a lingering black cherry note...very polished showing!

95James Suckling

The currant and light vanilla come through on the nose with some flowers...full-bodied with lots of rich fruit... Powerful and intense.

95Jeb Dunnuck

...charming, ripe, sexy style in its red and blue fruits, flowers, toasted spice, and loamy soil aromas and flavors...floral nuances with time in the glass...distinct earthy minerality, ripe tannins, and outstanding length.

93Wine Spectator

...nicely packed with plum, black cherry and boysenberry compote flavors that have good energy and are backed by a mix of savory, violet, anise and applewood notes through the finish.

93Vinous / IWC

...super-elegant and refined...Saint-Émilion of real finesse and nuance. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, spice, blood orange and cinnamon are all beautifully layered.

93Wine Enthusiast

...well-balanced...ripe, with dense black fruits shot through with ageworthy tannins. Poised and already offering fruitiness and ripeness...

93.3CellarTracker

16.5Jancis Robinson

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.