Château Magrez Fombrauge 2014

The modern, global-wine version of the estate… nothing but extract and muscle.

Frankly toasted, delivering a hefty dose of warm ganache and melted black licorice notes around the core of warmed fig and blackberry compote flavors; this still shows some energy, with lively tobacco and singed applewood streaks on the finish. Should stretch out with modest cellaring. Best from 2018 through 2024. 300 cases made, 50 cases imported.

A more fruit-forward style, flamboyant from the moment you put your nose in the glass. Very aromatic and bright. Currants, berries and violets. Full-bodied, very silky and textured thanks to all the tannins being polished. Long and focused. Drink in 2021.

The 2014 Magrez-Fombrauge has a dense but well-defined bouquet, with incense and pressed flowers. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannin, fine acidity, a little animally towards the savory, slightly bitter finish, but there is decent length. Overall, it just feels a little cumbersome and over-wrought, despite the good intention. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Like a great night in Las Vegas, this wine is fleshy, flashy and fun. Round and supple in character and packed with fennel, cocoa and chocolate-coated black raspberries. 90-92 Pts

Dark ruby with a purple hue. Intense and modern nose of cassis, blackberry, plum and vanilla, generous oak. The palate is concentrated and lush with polished but young and present tannins, good density, weight and length, attractive dark fruit, well built with fine potential, should develop nicely.

Extremely dark purple with lilac and violet highlights. An extremely, illogically concentrated bouquet, compote-like notes, black cherry jam, a touch of amarena. On the palate, cooked elderberry, but the concentration for a super-wine is/would be there. Unfortunately, the tannins completely dominate. The whole thing seems so concentrated that any possible harmony has completely vanished. It doesn’t get a good score from me, more like penalty points.

Peppery, opulent bouquet: plums, blueberries, blackcurrants, mint, elderberry. Opulent, powerful, brawny palate with dense fruit, plenty of tannins, bold, slightly sweet aromatics, muscular structure, long, dry, forceful finish. Can improve with age if it manages to integrate the tannins. 17/20 2023 - 2045

The 2014 Magrez Fombrauge is medium to deep garnet-brick in color. Dusty, fading notes of dried figs and raisin cake lead to touches of spice box and tobacco. The full-bodied palate is lively and chewy, with fading fruit and a rugged finish.

A dense, tight, oaky wine with good substance, a bit austere.

Purplish red. Spicy bouquet. Cinnamon, pepper, blackberry, blackcurrant. Lush, seductive attack. Supple character, lively, warm structure. Powerful, overpowering tannins that barely let the other elements of the palate express themselves. A wine that needs to soften, but I’m not sure it will manage to.

The 2014 impresses with its dense, tightly knit texture. This muscular body undoubtedly has depth and genuine tension, with a lingering finish of remarkable length.

88–90. Barrel Sample. Mint aromas elevate the polished nose. The palate brings a tarry character that hovers over fruit tones that need some development.