Château Fombrauge - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 6b11bd6ba9341f0271941e7df664d056

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/5/2019

Big and broad in feel, with a cocoa lacing from start to finish that weaves around dark fig and blackberry preserve flavors. Roasted apple wood and tobacco notes score the finish, leaving a touch of woodsy grip echoing. Best from 2022 through 2032. 24,583 cases made.  –JM

Jamessuckling.com

94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/4/2019

There’s a very rich and powerful core of red-plum and mulberry aromas and flavors here, delivering an assertive and very shimmery, polished palate. Great tannin texture. Long and regal. Every bit as good as the 2015, but more lively in 2016. Try from 2023.

Vinous

94 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe1/21/2019

The 2016 Fombrauge has come together beautifully during its aging and is now a much more refined wine than it was from barrel. Sweet red berry fruit, mocha, espresso, mint and floral notes all grace this exquisite, mid-weight Saint-Émilion. The 2016 is simply impeccable, not to mention incredibly delicious. There is not much more to it than that. Tasted two times.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe11/30/2018

Medium garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Fombrauge sings of lively kirsch, baked black cherries and warm plums notes plus touches of potpourri, cigar box and garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the mouth with decadent red and black fruit preserves, structured by velvety tannins and finishing with fantastic length.

Le Figaro - L'Avis du Vin

18 / 20

byClub Vinthe5/15/2017

Nez très fruitée, fruits rouges frais, vanille. Bouche intense, fruitée, très joli touché de bouche, tannins ronds et enrobés, finale très longue.

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe5/10/2017

Bettane & Desseauve

95-96 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017

Généreux, séveux, profond et long, une grande intensité et du fond.

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

The 2016 Fombrauge is a blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc picked from 30 September to the 22 October, clearly more expressive on the nose compared to the 2016 Magrez-Fombrauge with attractive blackberry, raspberry coulis and cold stone aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, linear but fresh with a grippy, slightly tarry finish that lingers in the mouth. It needs to find a little more "lightness" in terms of personality rather than intensity, perhaps not take itself quite so seriously. But I still find much to enjoy here and I look forward to tasting it in bottle. Tasted twice with consistent notes.

Vinous

91-94 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/26/2017

Dark raspberry, black cherry, plum, chocolate, smoke, wildflowers and exotic spices are some of the many notes that infuse the 2016 Fombrauge. Ripe, powerful and voluptuous, it offers a striking interplay of intense dark fruit and aromatic freshness. The purity of the flavors is compelling. A move toward fermenting more of the juice in cement and using less new oak during aging is having a noticeable influence on the evolution of Fombrauge away from a wine of pure power and toward a Saint-Émilion that displays more finesse than in the past.

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/21/2017

93% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc. 45% new oak. Very dark purple. Very complete and creamy on the nose. But with excellent drive. Rather opulent and verging on showy but very successful. Real savour here. 

Wine Enthusiast

93-95 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/19/2017

Barrel Sample. This is a perfumed wine, likely thanks to a dollop (7%) of Cabernet Franc. It has ripe fruit characters, pleasant richness and a firm structure.

Wine Spectator

87-90 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2017

A bit bulked-up in feel, with a warm cocoa frame around plum skin and warm currant confiture notes. More breadth than depth.—J.M.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2017

Dense and fresh red with lots of blackberries, blueberries and walnuts. Hints of chocolate. Full-bodied, tight and refined yet always showing muscle.