Description
Chateau Fonplegade is located close to the southeast portion of the St. Emilion village. What we know of as Chateau Fonplegade today, is one of the oldest vineyards in Saint Emilion. Proof of this is easily seen. If you’re visiting Chateau Fonplegade and looking at the historic Roman pathways still visible today, it’s easy to see how Fonplegade could be one of the oldest Bordeaux vineyards in the Right Bank. Ancient Roman ruins date the birth of the estate as a vineyard to about 400 AD.
The name Fonplegade was inspired by the terroir. Fonplegade means full or bent fountain. It was derived from the natural fountain, located close to the center of the vineyard which supports numerous, small, running springs in various bent and twisted shapes that are located on the estate. Skipping ahead about 1,500 years, in 1852, Jean-Pierre Beylot purchased Chateau Fonplegade. Beylot built the magnificent chateau that is still on the Fonplegade property today. In 1863, Chateau Fonplegade was sold to the Duke of Morny. Morny was the step brother of Napoleon the 3rd. The Moueix family purchased the estate in 1953. Things changed again most recently in 2004 when Denise Adams and Stephen Adams bought the Right Bank vineyard of Chateau Fonplegade for 30 million Euros from Armand Moueix. After a complete and very, expensive renovation of the Chateau Fonplegade chateau, cellars and wine making facilities, they also replanted large portions of the vineyards. Next, the Adams family started taking a different approach with their vineyard management techniques.
They began a biodynamic, farming program starting with the 2009 vintage. They were certified organic in 2013. Michel Rolland was the first consultant they hired. In 2015, they also brought in the team of Stephane Derenoncourt to help consult in the vineyard management and winemaking along with Corinne Comme. Stephen Adams and Denise Adams own other vineyards in the Right Bank including Chateau LEnclos in Pomerol. In 2020 the estate was officially certified as 100% Biodynamic. Along with biodynamic farming, they only use native yeasts in their vineyard as well.
The 18.5 hectare St. Emilion vineyard of Chateau Fonplegade is planted to 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. The remaining Cabernet Sauvignon vines were removed in 2010. The goal is to slowly increase the amount of Cabernet Franc planted in the vineyard to as much as 20% of the plantings over time.
The terroir is limestone and clay soils. The south facing vineyard has most of their vineyards ideally placed on the slopes, with some vines being planted on the plateau and a minor portion of their vines are planted at the bottom of their hillsides. They also have a parcel of vines north of the village, off the road to Libourne.
JAMES SUCKLING 93-94 Points
16 Apr, 2021 – "A solid red with blackberry, blackcurrant and spice character. Medium body, firm and silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Nice depth of fruit and focus."
DECANTER 95 points
Tasted by Jane Anson
Part of Best St-Emilion 2020 wines tasted en primeur
"Beautiful aromatics, vibrant, full of clarity and bright fruit delivery. Plum, blueberry, bursting with juicy life. Keeps delivering on the palate also, sprightly and vibrant, and soaked in limestone, wet stone personality. Has good depth of flavour, with a kick on the finish. Will age well, this is great stuff, a brilliant example of St-Emilion limestone. A buy! First year certified biodynamic with Biodyvin (certified organic since 2013). A yield of 35hl/ha. Drinking Window 2026 - 2044."
JANCIS ROBINSON 17 points
Drink: 2027 - 2043
"Bright but not that dense crimson. Interesting, minerally nose. Round and resolved already – dangerously evolved or just fun to drink? Not one of the most concentrated 2020 St-Émilions but very well integrated and balanced. Luscious fruit and no obvious excess of alcohol, tannin or acidity. Though a lot of tannin is lurking beneath that deceptively welcoming fruit… A hint of Marmite/yeast extract on the impressively long finish. Wholesome is not too much of an exaggeration."
