Château Villars, Fronsac 2012

Appellation: Fronsac

Region: Bordeaux

Country: France

Color: Red

Varietal(s): 76% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon

About The Producer

The Gaudrie family owns Château Villars, whose stewards are now Jean Claude and Brigitte Gaudrie, and their three sons (fifth and sixth generation). The hillside property faces southwest with the famous chalky clay over “Fronsac” sandstone.

Terroir & Vineyard Practices:

Theirs is a hillside property that faces southwest with the famous chalky clay over “Fronsac” sandstone. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc thrive in this environment and you'll find all three blended in this Bordeaux. Their vines have age to them, they are 35+ years old.

Tasting Notes

Château Villars is a precocious Right Bank value that's ready to drink. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon this wine has beautiful fruit and soft tannins. Any and every Bordeaux fan will love this wine.

Vinification

Manual harvest. Traditional 24-day maceration with pump-overs twice daily. Fermentation and then barrel-aged for 12-months (40% new oak). Bottled on the estate in the Spring.

Press

  • 90 points - Wine Advocate: "A gorgeous, deep ruby/purple color and sweet blueberry and blackberry fruit. Nice minerality and a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel make for a top-notch Fronsac in this vintage. The color is a healthy ruby/purple and the wine capable of lasting at least 10-15 years." - Robert Parker, Jr., Wine Advocate