Chateau Fombrauge, Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classe 2018

90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc

45% new French oak

Château Fombrauge is a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru property. It is the largest Grand Cru Classé property in the appellation, with a 59-hectare (143-acre) vineyard, and like many others in the region, makes a Merlot-dominant wine.

Fombrauge, which lies four kilometers (2.4 miles) due east of Saint-Emilion town, has existed as a property since the 15th Century, with the first vines on the estate documented in 1613. The name of the château derives from Fons Brogiera, a spring surrounded by an area of heather.

It has had numerous owners over the years and, in 1999, the estate was acquired by Bordeaux-based wine businessman Bernard Magrez. It sits within a large number of Magrez properties including Pape Clément and La Tour Carnet. Famed enologist Michel Rolland acts as consultant to the estate.

The Fombrauge vineyard has diverse soils ranging from chalky clay on limestone to iron-rich deposits and molasse soils. Fombrauge also has a range of different exposures, giving a complexity of terroir which is unusual for the appellation.

The nose is fresh, fruity and offers a beautiful definition, power, elegance as well as a beautiful finesse and intensity. It reveals notes of blackberry, peony / flowers and small notes of cassis associated with touches of crushed black fruits, blueberry as well as hints of liquorice and a very discreet hint of nutmeg. The mouth is fresh, fruity, well-balanced and offers a good definition, a juicy / mineral frame, a small tension as well as a very slightly tight and fine grain. On the palate this wine expresses notes of blackberry, raspberry, cherry, fleshy cassis and small notes of red fruits associated with small touches of flowers (cornflower, peony) as well as discreet hints of liquorice, sweet blond tobacco and very discreet hints of vanilla. Tannins are elegant and well-built. There are very slight hints of dark chocolate and an imperceptible hint of coffee on the finish.

CellarTracker 91
Wine Spectator 90