Château Fonréaud

91 Neal Martin // 92 Wine Enthusiast // 89 Wine Spectator // 16,5 Gault&Millau

The brilliant Vintage

A spring marked by beautiful months of April and May without rain, a cold and rainy June gave a half-flowering a little early (June 10). The summer weather was very good, marked by severe drought and limited rainfall of 9 mm in July and 15 mm in August, with temperatures a little lower than normal. The half-veraisonon August 15th and the veraison on August 20th were very regular. September was beautiful, hot and dry, fortunately 30mm fell on September 8 to promote maturity and 11mm on September 24th. With this dry weather the berries were 20 to 25% smaller than normal with sugar wealth announcing up to 14° of probable alcohol. This important concentration in tastes and flavors required waiting a little more to obtain a good maturity with melted tannins. The Merlots were harvested between October 4th and 12th. The Petit Verdots on the 19th and 12th of October. The Cabernets Sauvignons started on October 18th ended on the 21st.

The fermentations went smoothly despite the high sugar content and the first vats quickly revealed vibrant fruit aromas, a very harmonious structure with very smooth tannins that allowed them to macerate between 22 and 30 days.

The aging in barrels cametoperfect this beautiful vintage, which, after a few years of bottles, holds all its promises!