Chateau Fontenil 2016

Chateau Fontenil is the flagship wine of Michel and Dany Rolland's estate in the Fronsac appellation of Bordeaux. Produced entirely from Merlot grown on clay-limestone soils, it offers aromas of black cherry, plum, licorice and spice with polished tannins, freshness and a long, elegant finish.

Food Pairing: Pairs best with grilled steak, roast lamb, duck confit, braised beef and aged hard cheeses.

93 Points - James Suckling

Extremely perfumed and bright with raspberry, currant and dried-flower character. Full-bodied, yet soft and velvety with a flavorful finish. Already gorgeous. Better from 2022.

93 Points - Wine Spectator

Sleek in feel, with racy acidity pulling the raspberry and plum fruit along from the get-go. The chalky minerality is well-embedded on the finish. Solid.

91 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2016 Fontenil is medium to deep garnet-purple colored and gives up exuberant red cherries, black raspberries, wild blueberries and cinnamon stick scents with hints of wild sage and forest floor. Medium-bodied, refreshing and wonderfully elegant, it has beautiful vibrancy and a perfumed finish.

90 Points - Jeb Dunnuck

The home terroir of famed consultant Michel Rolland, the 2016 Chateau Fontenil sports a vivid purple color to go with impressive amounts of plum and currant fruits as well as loads of tobacco leaf, cedar pencil shavings, and camphor. Medium to full-bodied, with terrific elegance and purity, it shines for its balance and is very much in the style of the 2016 vintage. It will be even better with short-term cellaring and drink well for 10-15 years.