2005 is said to be a fabulous year for Bordeaux. I jumped at this one and was rewarded. I will likely grab some more. The wine is deep in color with a simple nose to it. On the mid pallet the wine has some lovely cassis (sublte) flavors. Hard to believe this is 90% Merlot. On the finish the wine is big with a long dry finish with firm tannins. The description below uses the phrase “teeth coating tannins” and I can relate to that experience. For the price this wine is a bargain. I would give it a 90. Lovely wine. We paired it with a Striploin steak and chocolate brownies and it held up fabulously.
From the LCBO Web site:
CHATEAU FONGABAN 2005 AC Cotes de Castillon TASTING NOTE: Deep dark red reasonably youthful with a complex ripe-fruited smoky savoury earthy aroma with a hint of vanilla and cassis. Savoury to the taste with a richness to the palate cigar box and subtle chocolate concentrated brambly fruit and fine-textured teeth-coating tannins. A robust wine that seems reasonably tight with its underlying acidity but with its juicy lingering full-bodied aftertaste it shows excellent potential. A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc and at the price it’s a very good introduction to Bordeaux. (Sue Courtney www.wineoftheweek.com July 25 2007) 138735 $17.95 Featured 9/26/2009
