2017 Chateau Fonplegade

Other Reviews....
The deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Fonplegade has quite a spicy nose sporting notes of anise, cloves, fenugreek and black pepper over a core of warm black plums and blackberries plus a waft of potpourri. Medium-bodied with a rock-solid frame of grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, it features bags of vibrant black fruits and a long, spicy finish.
93-95 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate #236 (April 2018)

Open-knit, with light anise, tea and cinnamon hints leading off, followed by gently mulled cherry and plum fruit. Lively acidity is embedded on the finish.—J.M.
90-93 points
Wine Spectator

This shows a very pretty center palate with blueberries, blackberries and white pepper. Solid tannins and structure. Long and flavorful.
92-93 points
James Suckling

The 2017 Fonplégade has a very classy bouquet with very pure blackberry and raspberry fruit, hints of cassis developing with aeration. The fruit is very well knitted with the oak. The palate is well balanced with fine tannin, crisp acidity, superb structure and delivers a really detailed and convincing finish. Bravo. This is an outstanding Saint-Émilion.
92-94 points
Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2017 Fonplegade is terrific. Bold, juicy and powerful, the 2017 possesses superb balance and overall harmony. There is a real sense of centeredness in this supple, exquisite Saint-Émilion. Inky dark fruit, lavender, mint, crème de cassis and spice all flesh out in this voluptuous, racy Fonplegade from Stephen and Denise Adams. The 2017 is exquisite, refined and beautiful.
91-94 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous

The 2017 Château Fonplegade is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc from a beautiful terroir not far from Pavie. It showed some aggressive tannins, but I suspect they’ll soften and round out during the élevage. The color is deep purple, and it offers a terrific bouquet of cassis and currant fruits, licorice and graphite. Medium-bodied, with nicely integrated oak, a touch of minerality, and solid overall balance, it has plenty of length and oomph on the finish. I suspect 2-3 years of bottle age will be warranted and it will drink nicely for a decade or more.
90-92 points
Jeb Dunnuck