Lashings of blackberry and liquorice, dark chocolate with a core of freshness. This was the point at which Fonplégade started to hit it out of the park. You would think it was a 2015 or a 2016 given its generosity and finesse. Brilliantly judged oak too, which is not always the case in St-Emilion. Organic and biodynamic.

This has turned out much nicer than expected. The wine is soft, round, loaded with ripe, dark red fruits, flowers, licorice and earthy complexities. The only minor quibble is the lush finish ends a bit too quickly. This is already quite a pleasure to imbibe with just 30 minutes of air. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2014&wine=Chateau%20Fonplegade

The 2014 Fonplegade has an almost opaque bouquet that demanded continuous swirling of the glass before it reluctantly offered blackberry, raspberry and cedar wood aromas, just a touch of fireside hearth in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin, the acidity finely tuned with a voluminous and vigorous finish of redcurrant jam, raspberry and black pepper. There is a lot going on in this Fonplegade and the persistence suggests that it will age over a decade or more.

Medium to deep garnet-brick in color, the 2014 Fonplegade waltzes out with showy notes of kirsch, blackberry preserves, and rosebud tea with hints of leather sofa and star anise. The medium-bodied palate is plush and packed with mature black fruit flavors with a slight chewiness to the texture and a spicy finish.

This has a succulent core of steeped plum and blackberry notes inlaid with ganache and licorice snap accents, all of which knit well through the finish, where a light chalk hint echoes, adding effective contrast. Offers a lingering mouthwatering feeling. This could be sneakily long in the cellar. Drink now through 2020. 3,500 cases made, 500 cases imported.

The 2014 Fonplégade has a dense blackberry and briary scented bouquet with a touch of tobacco coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with gritty tannin, hints of blue fruit filtering through the black but there is just a touch of greenness that nags away on the finish. I suspect that will dissipate with bottle age. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.