Château Fonplégade 2022

Rich, high toned and open on the nose with savoury, herbal and spiced notes. Crunchy, chewy, bright sharp and sour fruit as well as high acidity, all combining to be forward and open with a cool fresh mint and crushed stone undertone. Balanced, this feels suave and detailed, not massively weighty, still has the tension and focus but everything is supremely harmonious on the palate with no one element sticking out. You can feel the density and the concentration of the fruit – blackcurrant, damson, plum, and a sense of the intensity while still having terroir markers of flint, graphite and salinity. Charming and approachable – one to seek out. Harvest 12 – 26 September. Ageing 16 months; 50% new barrels, 30% one wine, 10% cement egg, 10% amphora. Drinking window: 2026-2042. (Georgina Hindle,decanter.com)