Chateau Fonreaud 2019

The structure of an elegant and well-rounded Listrac-Medoc

The estate

A magnificent property located in the Listrac-Medoc appellation, Chateau Fonreaud is one of the essential references of the Medoc. Owned by the Chanfreau family and classified as a Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, Chateau Fonreaud seduces wine-lovers with the signature style of its fruity and spicy wines, which evolve beautifully upon a very gourmet palate and promise a remarkable potential for age.

The vineyard

The Chateau Fonreaud vineyard extends over the high gravel terrace of the Medoc. Located between the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, the vineyard boasts a privileged location and benefits from a unique microclimate. The vines are planted in gravels soils resting upon a clay-limestone base, dating from the Oligocene period. This terroir allows for excellent drainage and an ideal ripening of the grapes.

The vintage

Characterized by exceptional weather conditions, 2019 is a vintage of character at Chateau Fonreaud. After a rainy winter, the summer season was very hot and dry. The property experienced nearly 3 months without any precipitation. Nevertheless, the clay-limestone soils of the vineyard saved the vines from significant water stress. The magnificent Indian summer combined with rain on September 10 allowed the grapes to reach optimal maturity. The harvest began on October 2 and ended on October 10.

The aging

Oak barrels of which 30% new.

The blend

Cabernet sauvignon (45%), merlot (51%), petit verdot (4%).

The tasting

For the first time, the Chateau Fonreaud 2019 lives up to its vintage in a truly brilliant wine. The wines are intense in color. Structured by a dense and round texture with integrated and velvety tannins, the palate of this Listrac-Medoc has the ideal structure for a very nice evolution in the bottle over the years to come.