Even better from bottle than it was from barrel, the 2015 Fonplégade is absolutely gorgeous. Rich and sumptuous, but superbly refined, the 2015 exudes class. The dark cherry, plum, espresso, rose petal and blood orange notes open up effortlessly. Time in the glass brings out the wine's underlying brightness, tension and energy. Everything about the 2015 speaks to balance. This is a superb showing from proprietors Stephen and Denise Adams and their team, which includes both Stéphane Derenoncourt and Michel Rolland.

Almost all Merlot (there's 5% Cabernet Franc) from a terrific site situated between Angelus and Pavie (this is prime Saint-Emilion terroir!), the 2015 Château Fonplegade is a rich, opulent beauty that comes across as amazingly elegant and weightless for a wine of this size. Cassis, toasted spices, dried earth, and lots of floral nuances all emerge from this full-bodied Saint-Emilion that has notable purity and freshness, ripe tannin, and a great finish. It's blockbuster stuff that needs to be snatched up by readers. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following 15-20 years. Tasted twice.

This is richly layered, offering boysenberry, fig and cassis flavors that stay fresh and focused, with fine chalky minerality buried throughout. Shows a toasted edge, revealing hints of espresso and tobacco, but they are easily matched by the fruit. This will age nicely. Best from 2020 through 2030.

Made almost exclusively from Merlot with just a 5% splash of Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Fonplegade is deep garnet-purple in color with a very pretty nose of red and black currants, wild thyme, charcuterie, earth and floral notes plus a fair amount of cedary notions in the background. Medium to full-bodied, it's wonderfully elegant, fine and fresh in the mouth with arresting purity and depth, finishing just a little woody. Give it 3-5 years for the oak to marry and the fruit to come to the forefront, and drink it over the next 10 to 15+ years.