2 | Wine, Fronsac

"This is a big, serious, back-strapping wine meant for long-term aging. In fact, I wouldn-t touch it for another 4-5 years. It is clearly the most masculine, concentrated and structured wine of the Canon-Fronsac area. A lot of Merlot is in the wine, but Cabernet Franc and possibly a little Cabernet Sauvignon are also included. This inky purple wine displays notes of Asian plum sauce, creme de cassis and blackberry liqueur as well as a hint of lead pencil shavings. Big, full-bodied, and seriously endowed, this massive Canon-Fronsac needs time to calm down. However, everything is present - acidity, tannin, extract and substantial richness. This is an impressive wine as well as a sleeper of the vintage."-Robert Parker

"A terrific wine from proprietor Thierry Gaudrie, this wine, which has a similar blend to the La Vieille Cure (73% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon), has an inky purple color and a big, sweet kiss of blueberry liqueur intermixed with creme de cassis, camphor, licorice and a hint of graphite. Full-bodied, rich and unctuously textured, this is a seriously endowed Fronsac to drink over the next 15+ years." -Robert Parker

"Juicy and nicely packed, with a succulent core of plum, blackberry and crushed black cherry framed by slightly austere charcoal and tobacco leaf notes. Racy acidity drives the finish and should knit the dark fruit and minerality together."

"Opaque purple-colored, this is a relatively structured, tightly knit wine that offers up notes of crushed rocks, black raspberries and hints of black currant and underbrush. It is structured, masculine and medium to full-bodied, with some moderate tannins that still need to be resolved."-Robert Parker

"The basic Fontenil has a deep bluish purple color and relatively hefty alcohol at 14.5%, but it is not noticeable in this full-bodied, layered, opulent wine, with lots of black raspberry fruit intermixed with some blueberries and crushed rock. Both of these wines have a good 10-15 years of potential in a fine cellar."-Robert Parker