The cork of the 1998 Fontenil, 13% alcohol, was in perfect condition, with the wine perfectly ripe and excellently balanced. Simply delicious! The complex, impressive nose of spices, flowers, cassis and red fruits is highly promising already and the wine keeps what its fragrance promises. On the palate, fine tannins, pure ripe red and black fruits embedded in a fresh structure, this delicious wine shows absolutely no signs of modern madness. No doubt, the best Fontenil I’ve ever had. Congratulations to winemaker Dany Rolland!
Hardly a surprise was that the splendid 1986 Palmer, 12,5 % alcohol, showed more depth and refinement than the wonderful Fontenil. The cork came out in two pieces, but the wine was in no way negatively affected. There is real elegance here. Perfectly ripe and balanced, this is a dream wine with a striking purity of the fruit, finesse in the tannins, finest tertiary notes, a surprising freshness, and a lovely length. Margaux at its best. Excellent match with the lamb fillet last night, btw.
