The Wine:
90 Merlot, 10 Cabernet Franc Limestone and clay soil 35+ year old vines De-stemmed Aged in 65 tank, 35 barrels for 18 months all from the village of Galgon in the district of Fronsac.
The Estate:
The chateau buildings date from 1892, and resemble a cross between an 18th century English country house and a luxury mediterranean villa all whitewashed and topped with a red-tiled roof. The vineyards originally belonged to another estate, and were purchased by the Avril family some years later. Recently, Bernard Avril has invested considerable time and effort in improving both vineyard practices and winemaking, with the result that this is now a respected source of quality Bordeaux at remarkably affordable prices.
The secret here is location. The wines are labelled Bordeaux Suprieur, but the grapes are grown close to, and in some cases, over the border into better known Fronsac. The clay and limestone slopes and microclimatic influences are very similar to the terroir found in nearby Saint Emilion. Not surprisingly, Merlot works very well here.
The grand château of this estate is surrounded by vines planted on clay and chalk soil. This wine, with its dense tannins in place, is young and shows some good aging potential. Ripe blackberry flavors shine alongside bright acidity, showing a balance that is still developing. Drink from 2022. - Wine Enthusiast Magazine 90 points
