Chateau de Fonsalette
Réservé Côtes du Rhône Grenache Blanc Blend
Côtes du Rhône, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France
Day 1: Surprisingly acid driven here too, and unfortunately reduced to the point of being undrinkable. Day 5: Beeswax, pollen, white chocolate, "pralines and cream ice cream", decent acid to hold everything together. Dried nectarine, botrytis, old barrel. These last two qualities remind a bit of 2010 Foreau Sec though this is much gentler right now. Mildly buttery. This was opened opened 4 days ago but was undrinkably reduced. Stuck the cork back in it and put it in the fridge, no reduction today. Looking back on notes from day 1 the acid has integrated fully. Floral like jasmine, reminds me of summer. Not explosive in energy by any means but solid. Attractive in a blousier style. QPR? I'll take St. Aubin or some cheaper Rhone whites, see Graillot for instance (nice and light). The Fonsalette is still a bit heavier and obtuse compared to what I tend to like in a white wine (Chablis/St Aubin). What, if any, Rhone whites do you like? Serve cold.
Day 1: Surprisingly acid driven here too, and unfortunately reduced to the point of being undrinkable. Day 5: Beeswax, pollen, white chocolate, "pralines and cream ice cream", decent acid to hold everything together. Dried nectarine, botrytis, old barrel. These last two qualities remind a bit of 2010 Foreau Sec though this is much gentler right now. Mildly buttery. This was opened opened 4 days ago but was undrinkably reduced. Stuck the cork back in it and put it in the fridge, no reduction today. Looking back on notes from day 1 the acid has integrated fully. Floral like jasmine, reminds me of summer. Not explosive in energy by any means but solid. Attractive in a blousier style. QPR? I'll take St. Aubin or some cheaper Rhone whites, see Graillot for instance (nice and light). The Fonsalette is still a bit heavier and obtuse compared to what I tend to like in a white wine (Chablis/St Aubin). What, if any, Rhone whites do you like? Serve cold.
Mar 7th, 2014
Sales Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant
Super-fumey. Blind, I might have guessed Alsatian Riesling because of the nose. Great texture. Herbaceous and honeyed with a phenolic bite. Not as deep as Chateau Simone, but still a lovely white from the Southern Rhone.
Super-fumey. Blind, I might have guessed Alsatian Riesling because of the nose. Great texture. Herbaceous and honeyed with a phenolic bite. Not as deep as Chateau Simone, but still a lovely white from the Southern Rhone.
May 17th, 2015Maiden voyage with Fondalette Blanc and pleasantly surprised. Really came around with striking minerality after some time in the glass.
Maiden voyage with Fondalette Blanc and pleasantly surprised. Really came around with striking minerality after some time in the glass.
Dec 12th, 2015
