Fonbel

Saint-Émilion 2004

International Bordeaux-Style wines

Sold for

ZAR 880
Lot 157
  • Fonbel; Saint-Émilion; 2004; 1 (1 x 1); 750ml


Lot Estimate Change Currency
ZAR 800 - 1 200
Selling Price
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
ZAR 880
Location
Wine Storage
Delivery
Delivery within South Africa included
Shipping

About this Item

Saint-Émilion 2004
1 (1 x 1) 750ml
The 2004 Saint-Émilion vintage produced wines of elegant, restrained character and approachable fruit, particularly for estates on the clay and sandy soils of the plain, delivering an accessible style that rewarded drinking on release rather than extended cellaring. Château de Fonbel’s 2004 earned 90/100 from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, who described it as a beautifully made, pure and elegant wine with an enticing texture and long finish, calling it the poor man’s Ausone. Fonbel is a 16-hectare estate owned by the Vauthier family since 1971, managed with the same meticulous precision applied at Château Ausone, Alain Vauthier’s First Growth, which consistently produces wines well above expectations at this level. The blend includes Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carménère, aged in 30% new French oak.

Provenance

The late David Brice was a respected wine connoisseur, collector and co-founder of Brice and Burnett – The Fine Wine Specialists (formerly Wine Cellar). His lifelong passion for wine from all corners of the world wine, and generosity, helped develop a culture of fine wine in South Africa and beyond. Always with value and authenticity in mind, the collection spans a wide range of styles from leading producers and diverse regions. The wines were professionally imported under refrigeration and carefully stored at Brice and Burnett (formerly Wine Cellar) thereafter. Many of the producers are not available in South Africa and provide an excellent buying opportunity.

David studied and tasted Bordeaux more than any other region and he purchased en-primeur, or pre-release, for more than 3 decades. He bought the great vintages, loved magnums, and enjoyed the sweet wines of Sauternes. The cellar contains the famous names, but also highly regarded but lesser-known Chateaux and appellations.

For more detailed information on the lots, please feel free to contact Roland Peens (roland@winecellar.co.za). Roland spent many years sharing and enjoying these wines with David Brice and is happy to provide further insight into the collection.

Critics Ratings

“A beautifully made Saint-Émilion. Deep ruby/purple with aromas of minerals, crème de cassis, blackberries and licorice. Elegant, medium-bodied and pure with loads of fruit, an enticing texture and a long finish.” - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90/100 (Jun 2007)

“So dark purple it is almost blue. A creamy palate reminiscent of the violet cream in a chocolate assortment. Some acidity but with well managed tannins.” - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (Aug 2005)

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