Chateau Fonreaud, Listrac Medoc Cru Bourgeois

£25.15 / bottle
£286.71 / case (12+ bottles, 5% off)

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Description

Chateau Fonreaud is a Membre de l’Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux and is located in the Listrac Medoc wine-growing region of Bordeaux. The commune of is situated in the Médoc on the Route Nationale 215, between Bordeaux and Le Verdon-sur-Mer. The name “Fonreaud” is derivation of the name “Font-réaux” meaning “Royal Fountain” and legend has it that, in the 12th century, the King of England and husband of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II Plantagenet, stopped here to quench his thirst and drank from a spring of cool water. The spring can be found on the estate today. There were cellars on the site in the 17th century but the current Chateau was built in 1850 by Henri Le Blanc de Mauvezin in 1850.

Today the estate is owned by Jean Chanfreau (whose sister, Caroline, owns the nearby estates of Chateau Caroline and Chateau Lestage). The wine is classified as a Cru Bourgeois. Jean’s grandfather Leo has been a winemaker in Algeria and purchased the estate in 1962 on his return to France. The estate then comprised 17 hectares and was managed by Leo’s son Marcel until Jean took over. The vineyards surround the Chateau which sits on the border between Listrac Medoc and Moulis and now comprises 32 hectares in a single block Pyrenean gravel with a clay limestone subsoil. The Chateau also produce a Moulis called Chateau Chemin Royal and a white Bordeaux called Le Cygne de Fonreaud (which is fantastic, but in extremely short supply!).

At harvest there is an initial sorting in the vineyards which is followed by a second sorting by hand at the Chateau. Each plot is vinified separately in therm-regulated concrete vats which allow the winemaker a good level of control over vinification and gives more options when it comes to the final blending of the wine. At the start of the fermentation there is a twice daily pumping over to improve extraction of fruit and colour. After fermentation the parcels of wine are aged for 1 year in French oak barrels. The different batches are tasted regularly and the final blend is assembled with the aid of consultant oenologist, Antoine Médeville.

Chateau Fonreaud 2012 is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot.

Tasting Notes

Chateau Fonreaud is an intense dark ruby red colour. The nose has spicy notes, including pepper, liquorice and baking spices. Hints of chocolate and coffee sit alongside an array of dark fruits, damsons, dark cherry and blackcurrant. The palate is shows more dark fruits, blackberry, hints of cedar and tobacco. It is quite savoury in style but with a good purity. This is a fairly robust medium to full bodied red wine with good mouth-feel and supple tannins. The finish is quite grippy, with good length and has a good freshness that makes this a very attractive wine.

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