FRONSAC/CANON FRONSAC · RIGHT BANK

Located in a rugged, picturesque landscape where the Dordogne and the Isle rivers meet, Fronsac is an ancient fortified city with a long history of wine production. (Libourne’s elite recognized its excellence as early as the 18th century, even before Saint-Emilion, and its wines have been appreciated in Europe since the 16th Century). Where the Isle River flows into the large Dordogne, it creates a microclimate that reduces night frosts in spring and cools summer’s heat. Steep slopes are another unique feature of the terroir. The appellation has many different soil types, but they all share the alluvial characteristics at the bottom of the slopes and clay-limestone hills (and even pure limestone, as in Saint- Emilion). Deeper in the ground, rocks with chalk and clay are found (molasse) making for excellent drainage. Powerful and complex wines result. Merlot, which prefers deep soil, ripens better here than Cabernet-Sauvignon. Cabernet-Franc contributes touches of raspberry and round but powerful tannins. The ageing potential Fronsac wines is quite significant and the best wines can easily wait 10-15 years to be tasted at their optimum. Some properties include Canon de Brem, Dalem, La Dauphine, Fontenil, Moulin Haut Laroque, La Rousselle and Cassagne Haut-Canon.
Smaller than Fronsac, the Canon-Fronsac appellation occupies higher terrain, with steep slopes known as “Côte de Canon”,being the AOC’s characteristic geographic feature. Situated close to and above the neighbouring Fronsac AOC, Canon Fronsac overlooks the point where the Dordogne and the Isle rivers meet. Here too, the water cools the air in the summer, and warms it in the spring, much to the benefit of the vines. Soils are composed of clay-limestone over banks of compact limestone. Over the last 100 years, the winegrowers of Canon-Fronsac have completely changed the types of vines planted. Malbec used to be planted on the hills of these two appellations. But when it was proven that Merlot was better suited to these clay limestone soils, the producers adopted it (70% of vines planted). Cabernet-Franc and Cabernet-Sauvignon are equally represented at 15% each of vines planted. The region’s wines are often considered to be under-rated, having even more depth and consistency in the mouth than Fronsac, with a frank and powerful attack. The region is tiny, with approximately 300 ha under vine.

2016 CHÂTEAU DE LA DAUPHINE
· FRONSAC AOC
+764029 · 12x750ml
Website

85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc.
Deep-crimson colour. The nose is open, presenting ripe strawberry and cherry notes. On the palate, a well-rounded wine, with fruits and spices. This wine has a beautiful potential of ageing as it is one of the greatest vintages of Bordeaux.
Chateau La Dauphine is best paired with lamb with a honey sauce, sliced beef with morels. Veal Marengo, pecorino cheese with truffle, red tuna Rossini.

STATUS: OPEN
JS: 93 || RP: 90 || DC: 92 || JD: 90 || JR: 15.5

VINTAGE NOTES:
16 || 17 || 15 || 11 || 10

2015 CHÂTEAU DE LA DAUPHINE
· FRONSAC AOC
+764029 · 12x750ml
Website

90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc .
Deep-crimson colour, almost velvet-like. The nose is quite elegant, presenting ripe red fruits with spicy notes. On the palate, a well-rounded wine, with voluptuous structure. This wine has a beautiful potential of ageing as it is one of the greatest vintages of Bordeaux.
Chateau La Dauphine is best paired with lamb with a honey sauce, sliced beef with morels. Veal Marengo, pecorino cheese with truffle, red tuna Rossini.

STATUS: OPEN
JS: 92 || JL: 92 || NM: 91+ || WS: 91 || WE: 91 || VN: 91 || RP: 88

VINTAGE NOTES:
15 || 17 || 16 || 11 || 10

2020 CHÂTEAU DE LA HUSTE
· FRONSAC AOC
+893373 · 12x750ml
Website

95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc.
Very expressive nose of iris, raspberry, and cocoa bean. The palate, marked by notes of raspberry and cedar, is smooth and velvety. Full-bodied and well-balanced, a captivatingly wine of fine dimensions, good length, and well-integrated tannins.
Best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Dalem is also good when matched with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

STATUS: OPEN
JL: 92 || WS: 90 || JS: 90 || DC: 90 || WI: 89 || VN: 88
Silver Medal - Concours de Feminalise 2021

VINTAGE NOTES:
20 || 19 || 12 || 11

2019 CHÂTEAU DE LA HUSTE
· FRONSAC AOC
+866161 · 12x750ml
Website

90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc.
Deep-crimson colour. On the clay-limestone slopes of the commune of Saillans, De La Huste “La Bosse” is produced from 8 Ha of vines with an average age of 40 years. In this beautifully crafted vintage, this wine gives all the measure of Fronsac. The brilliant garnet color announces aromas of ripe black fruit, aniseed plum jam and blackberries. Lively attack on well-integrated tannins forming a remarkable balance, revealing the flavors of black fruits, chocolate, and tobacco on a long finish. Style and concentration in an exceptional vintage that will give its full potential to those who show a little patience.
Best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Dalem is also good when matched with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

STATUS: OPEN
JS: 92 || WS: 91 || JD: 91 || RP: 91-93 || DC: 90

VINTAGE NOTES:
19 || 12 || 11

2018 CLOS DU ROY
· FRONSAC AOC
+848136 · 12x750ml
Website

95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc.
Clos du Roy represents the great wine of the property. Tannic wine and beautiful acidity, it is naturally able to age. Our job is to raise this wine by mixing the best, density, complexity, and balance.
Best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes.

STATUS: OPEN
RP: 91-93 || JS: 90-91 || VI: 87-90 || JD: 87-89

VINTAGE NOTES:
18 || 15

2018 DELPHIS DE LA DAUPHINE
· FRONSAC AOC · 2ND WINE
+831394 · 12x750ml
Website

100% Merlot.
Dark and carmine colour. 2018 will be remembered as much for the trials of its spring as for the richness of its wines. In addition to being one of Bordeaux’s most structured vintages, 2018 has a surprising freshness: two characteristics that promise an excellent capacity to age. Nose of fresh fruit (blackberry, raspberry), menthol. notes of caramel and spices widen the aromatic palette. Structured, balanced palate with a fruity finish.
Best paired with lamb with a honey sauce, sliced beef with morels, Chicken skewers, Burbot in a tomato sauce, or a Beaufort cheese soufflé. Can also be paired with Veal Marengo, pecorino cheese with truffle, red tuna Rossini, or Italian tartare. For dessert, a red fruit pavlova. Drink now or cellar till 2026. Decant 1 hr before serving. Serve at 16-18 degrees Celsius.

STATUS: OPEN
La Revue du Vin France: 13.5/20

VINTAGE NOTES:
18 || 17 || 16 || 11 || 06