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2012 Chateau de Fonsalette Cotes du Rhone

Chateau de Fonsalette Cotes du Rhone

Regular price $350.00

Château de Fonsalette occupies a unique place in the Rhône Valley. Although labeled simply as Côtes du Rhône, the estate sits just outside the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation and is owned by the Reynaud family of the legendary Château Rayas. Under Emmanuel Reynaud's meticulous stewardship, Fonsalette is produced with the same uncompromising philosophy that has made Rayas one of the world's most sought-after wines. The result is a wine that routinely outperforms many Châteauneuf-du-Papes while retaining its humble appellation.

The 2012 is widely considered one of the standout vintages of the decade for Fonsalette. A blend of approximately 50% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, and 15% Syrah, it was aged in old demi-muids, preserving purity rather than imparting oak character. The bouquet is hauntingly complex, offering aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry, blood orange peel, dried roses, Provençal herbs, white pepper, and warm spice, all underpinned by earthy, forest-floor nuances.

On the palate, the wine is remarkably silky and graceful, combining the transparency and perfume often associated with fine Burgundy with the sun-kissed fruit of the southern Rhône. Layers of red cherry, pomegranate, spice, lavender, and savory herbs unfold effortlessly across a medium-bodied frame supported by refined tannins and vibrant acidity. The finish is exceptionally long, echoing with floral notes, mineral freshness, and subtle garrigue.

Today, the 2012 is entering a magnificent drinking window, showing both youthful energy and the first hints of tertiary complexity. It should continue to evolve beautifully through at least 2034, rewarding patient cellaring while offering extraordinary pleasure now with a brief decant.

Pair with: roast lamb with rosemary, duck breast, grilled pork tenderloin, wild mushroom dishes, or Provençal-inspired cuisine. This is a contemplative Rhône that deserves as much attention as many of the world's greatest Grenache-based wines.




Shipping Policy

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  • Unless your delivery address is on the West Coast, we strongly discourage you from selecting “Ground Service” as your shipping method. During the winter and summer months, weather conditions (temperature) and longer delivery times can often result in the spoilage of your order. It doesn’t make sense to invest in fine wines and then take the chance of ruining them due environmental factors during transit (faster and safer delivery generally isn’t much more expensive). We don’t make an additional profit on accelerated delivery, but we frequently recommend faster shipping options to our customers outside the West Coast.
  • You must be 21 years of age to order or receive alcoholic beverages.  Any shipments containing alcoholic beverages are sent with an “Adult Signature Required” sticker, and the common carrier that delivers our merchandise is required to ask and check for identification upon delivery. This means that an adult will have to be present at the time of delivery.  Please consider shipping to an office address.
  • During periods of extreme weather, we attempt to ship wines at the beginning of each week in order to get shipments to you before the weekend. This is because we have no control over the temperature conditions at our freight carriers’ warehouses. The result may be that your shipment doesn’t go out the day that you place an order.
  • We ship by Fedex or Fedex Ground. Our prices include packaging materials. Insurance may be available for an additional charge.
  • Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. will arrange for shipment on behalf of the buyer, to an address specified by the buyer, provided that Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. in its sole judgment believes that such shipment will not subject Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. to the risk of any sort of legal action or other harm. If a buyer lives in a state where the direct shipment of wine by Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. violates the law, we suggest that the buyer provide an alternative address in another state or have their wine shipped to a third-party storage facility in a direct shipping-friendly state.
  • Various states impose limitations on the quantity of alcoholic beverages that may be purchased and brought into their jurisdiction by a purchaser from another state without requiring the purchaser, a seller or shipper to possess certain licenses or permits. Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. does not, as a condition of sale, assume any obligation nor bear any responsibility whatsoever for applying or obtaining any permits or licenses. Therefore, we recommend that you investigate the possibility of such limitations, and determine the manner in which alcoholic beverages shall be brought into your state from California, so as to comply with all of your state’s requirements.
  • Wine shipping rules in the United States are controlled by the state you live in. We do not ship wine to the following states at this time:
    • Alabama
    • Alaska
    • Arkansas
    • Delaware
      Kansas
    • Kentucky
      Louisiana
    • Maine
      Maryland
    • Massachusetts
      Michigan
    • Mississippi
      Montana
    • Nevada
      New York
    • North Dakota
      Oklahoma
    • Pennsylvania
      Rhode Island
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • Wisconsin

List Updated 2/1/2023
Please inquire about international shipping.

Vintage Wine Merchants
377 Santana Row, Suite 1135
San Jose, CA 95128
408-260-1115

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