CHÂTEAU FONROQUE St. Emilion GCC

Weather conditions

Climatic conditions close to optimum have made of 2009 a great vintage for Bordeaux.

A harsh winter and a cold and dry spring first delayed the vine development and leaded to a late bud break. But the hot, sunny and dry weather of May and June did allow catching up and was in favour of the flower, fruit set and veraison. A hot and dry summer allowed a homogenic veraison, a very nice maturation and an exceptional harvesting period, in good sanitary conditions.

From mid-June, extremely low precipitations induced a very intense hydric deficit. An exceptional aromatic richness was preserved in skins by an important thermal amplitude between days and nights in August. Little, concentrated berries and a high tannic potential resulted.

Tasting notes

Bright dark red colour.

The nose is generous, precise, with a rare elegance, floral notes, fruits but also truffle, black olive and mineral notes.

On the palate the wine is dense and rich. Perfectly well-balanced, it is very harmonious, with a velvety, refined and elegant texture. Its freshness is impressive, the starting is large and let express nice fruit aromas and mild tobacco. Tannins are melted and with a great refinement. Aromas and freshness have a long persistence on an extremely sophisticated finish.

The wine is very pure, well-balanced and expresses really well the mineral aspect of the limestone "terroir". 

Specification sheet

Area : 17,60 hectare(s)

Soils : Limestone on the plateau / clay-limestone on the hillside

Varieties of vine : 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc

Average age of the vines : 35 years