{"product_id":"chaterau-fontenil-fronsac-2016-750ml","title":"Chateau Fontenil Fronsac 2016 750ml","description":"\u003cp\u003eChâteau Fontenil, established in 1986, is the home estate of celebrated Bordeaux oenologists Dany and Michel Rolland. Before purchasing this Right Bank property, the Rollands worked as consultants to numerous producers throughout the region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir 11 hectares in Fronsac are planted predominantly to Merlot on a south-facing slope of clay and limestone overlooking the Isle River and the town of Libourne.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyards are sustainably farmed and manually harvested. The average vine age is more than 45 years, and yields are carefully limited.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Comes on with aromas of warm, ripe plum fruit beginning to show some stewed character, followed by a hint of tobacco. The palate is juicy, with some wood and spice on the finish.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e—Rand Sieger, 67 Wine Buyer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e----------\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChâteau Fontenil 2016 is a polished, expressive Right Bank Bordeaux from the Fronsac appellation, produced at the home estate of renowned Bordeaux oenologists Dany and Michel Rolland. The couple acquired the property in 1986 after years of consulting for estates throughout the region, naming it Fontenil after one of the vineyard’s original parcels.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe estate occupies approximately nine hectares in the commune of Saillans, on a south-facing hillside overlooking the Isle River and the town of Libourne. The vineyards are rooted in Fronsac’s distinctive clay-and-limestone soils, which are particularly well suited to Merlot and help produce wines with generous fruit, mineral freshness, and naturally structured tannins. The vines used for the 2016 vintage averaged more than 45 years of age.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduced from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e100% Merlot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, Château Fontenil represents the rich yet refined character for which Fronsac is increasingly admired. The grapes were harvested by hand and subjected to double sorting to ensure that only healthy, fully ripe fruit entered the winery. Vinification took place in small temperature-controlled wooden and stainless-steel vats, as well as in new French oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation was also carried out in new oak, followed by 15 to 18 months of maturation in French barrels, approximately 40% of which were new.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2016 vintage displays a deep ruby-purple color and an expressive bouquet of black cherry, raspberry, plum, currant, and wild blueberry. With air, the wine reveals additional layers of violet, dried flowers, cinnamon, licorice, fine chocolate, tobacco leaf, cedar, subtle toast, and forest floor.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, round, and supple, combining ripe dark fruit with bright red-fruit freshness. The tannins are silky and beautifully integrated, providing structure without heaviness. Notes of raspberry, black cherry, pepper, spice, and gently toasted oak carry into a long, harmonious, and savory finish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe strength of the 2016 vintage lies in its balance. It offers the ripe fruit and velvety texture associated with Michel Rolland’s approach, while retaining the freshness, elegance, and mineral definition of its Fronsac terroir. Published reviews praised the wine for its perfume, vibrancy, purity, and polished tannins. Falstaff awarded the vintage \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e93 points\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, describing a fresh, balanced wine with dark berries, cherry, licorice, chocolate, and well-integrated oak.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Guide Hachette des Vins also highlighted its combination of black fruit, raspberry, pepper, and integrated toasted notes, along with a rounded palate, silky tannins, and a long, flavorful finish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNow entering a very attractive stage of maturity, Château Fontenil 2016 can be enjoyed today after a brief decant, while still possessing enough fruit and structure for additional cellar development. It is an excellent value for drinkers seeking the plushness and depth of Merlot-based Right Bank Bordeaux without the pricing of neighboring Pomerol or Saint-Émilion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAppellation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Fronsac\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRegion:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Bordeaux, France\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVintage:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 2016\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrape Variety:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Predominantly Merlot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVineyard Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 9 hectares\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoils:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Clay and limestone over Fronsac molasse\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAverage Vine Age:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e More than 45 years\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Hand harvested with double sorting\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVinification:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Small temperature-controlled wooden and stainless-steel vats; partial vinification in new French oak\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMalolactic Fermentation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e In new French oak barrels\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAging:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 15–18 months in French oak, approximately 40% new\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlcohol:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 13%\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCritical Acclaim:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 93 Points, Falstaff\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBottle Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 750ml\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFood Pairings:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Roast lamb, grilled steak, duck breast, braised beef, short ribs, pork tenderloin, mushroom dishes, lentils, and firm aged cheeses.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eServing Recommendation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Serve at approximately 60–65°F. Decant for 30 to 60 minutes to allow the fruit, spice, and mature savory notes to fully open.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"67Wine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52586751656219,"sku":"210000060639","price":37.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0694\/1789\/4171\/files\/ChateauFontenilFronsac2016750ml.png?v=1784831486","url":"https:\/\/67wino.shop\/products\/chaterau-fontenil-fronsac-2016-750ml","provider":"67","version":"1.0","type":"link"}