Château de Fonsalette 2005 75cl

The 2005 Fonsalette Cotes du Rhone is a blockbuster. This blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, and 15% Syrah has a dark ruby/purple color and a beautifully structured style with notes of black truffle, licorice, black currant, and sweet cherry intermixed with some crushed rock and flowers. The wine is beautifully broad, savory, and exceptionally well-delineated and focused. This is a magnificent wine that should be at its best between 2010 and 2025.

Rich, with a really enticing streak of mesquite and incense weaving through the dark currant, tapenade, braised beef and melted licorice notes. This long, minerally finish shows a hint of shiso leaf. Should cellar well. Drink now through 2011. 1,375 cases made. ?JM