“It’s hands down the finest vintage I’ve tasted from this estate.” – Jeb Dunnuck

Ditto, Jeb, this is a STUNNER no doubt, with a 95 point score to firm up that bold statement. For under $40 today?

At the best price anywhere? CASE ME UP!

Don’t forget to grab a few magnums of it from the Store here too, for even BETTER value.

With 2022s about to hit the streets, a well-aged example of the finest red Bordeaux at this price is like rolling the clock back to an era where gas was $0.99 a gallon and a nice ribeye was under $10/lb. Sadly we can’t revive those things. Mere mortals we are…

Proprietor Bernard Magrez is a tour de force in wine. He owns a mind-boggling 42+ wineries, among them a few legendary Château like Magrez-Fombrauge, La Tour Carnet, Pape Clément, Clos Haut-Peyraguey,… He’s a fan of making big, potent wines which earn 95-100 point scores like it’s going out of style, with the magic touch of Michel Rolland as the world’s top consulting oenologist of course… And the 2018 Fombrauge is, by far, the absolute best value in the Magrez lineup.

Still need a second opinion? Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate has been agreeing with that for years, stating “This estate has come on strong under the auspices of visionary proprietor Bernard Magrez and winemaking consultant Michel Rolland, and it has been one of this journal’s great value picks.”

Antonio Galloni’s Vinous has been acknowledging the transformation here too: “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. Bernard Magrez’s Saint-Émilions are increasingly more refined and less bombastic than in the past, a trend that is evident throughout the entire range.”

Just look at those scores!

What to expect in the glass? Loads of blackberry, chocolate, and stones. Full-bodied and concentrated with masses of tannins and fruit. Long, long finish. While it’s hitting an impossible-to-resist spot, there’s much more room for further complexities to emerge over the next few decades, especially in Magnum.

Buy all you can with reckless abandon, inventory going down and 2018 prices are going up, that’s a given.

What else can we say? Nostalgia in a bottle!

95 Points – Jeb Dunnuck

“A gorgeous wine that shines on all account, the 2018 Château Fombrauge sports a dense purple hue to go with loads of blackcurrant and black cherry fruits as well as tobacco leaf, damp earth, chocolate, and cedary herbs. With full-bodied richness, a deep, layered mid-palate, silky tannins, and outstanding length, this rock star Saint-Emilion can be enjoyed any time over the coming 20-25 years or more. It’s hands down the finest vintage I’ve tasted from this estate. Drink 2021-2046.”

94 Points – James Suckling

“Ripe-plum, black-cherry, milk-chocolate, walnut and vanilla aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied with plush, velvety tannins. Creamy and polished. Very tight now. From organically grown grapes. Try from 2023, when it will begin to open up.”

93+ Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Fombrauge needs some swirling to unlock notions of preserved plums, blackberry compote and Black Forest cake, with wafts of tree bark, tar and licorice in the background. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers impactful black fruits with a firm, grainy framed and soft acidity, finishing on a lingering aniseed note. Give it a good 2-3 years in bottle to spread its wings and drink it over the next 15+ years. Drink 2023-2040.”