Château de Fonbel offers good value St-Emilion made by one of the region’s top winemakers. The 16 hectare estate is owned by Alain Vauthier, owner of Château Ausone, and it is his daughter Pauline along with Ausone’s winemaking team who craft the wines here. Around 8000 cases are made each year and while it doesn’t soar to the lofty quality heights of its big brother, Château de Fonbel offers a seductively easy drinking red. The vineyards lie on gently sloping sandy soils and have the highest planting of Carmenère on the Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Carmenère which contribute to Fonbel’s unique style. There are no facilities at the estate, vinification is carried out at nearby Moulin St Georges.