Fronsac, think Bordeaux. Think red wine. Think Merlot. Think of possible luxury at a discount price.
We try a Château Castagnac from a good year in Bordeaux, 2020. It is Merlot and aged one year in French oak.
The grapes were grown in a three-hectare herbicide free vineyard in clay-limestone soil near the town of Saint-Aignan. 25,000 bottles were produced.
Aroma: Soft and mellow if not lush. Full of plum with a thick fruity streak of cassis and blackberry. Classy.
Palate: Full bodied and stern. In its youth and certainly needs time to flesh out. There are ill mannered tannins out in the wine world and this is not one of them. One senses the fruit starting to emerge from the iron dome of tannins. Prediction here of a fruitier and softer wine over the next 6 years. Ready to open now but if you can wait until October 2024 do so. The longer you wait the softer and more fruit laden the wine will be. I noted after the wine had been opened for 24 hours there was a tiny seam of acidity which has me a bit concerned. I have noted when natural yeast is involved there is a higher risk of notable acidity.
Personality: I punch way above my price. Keep me aside for a few years and listen to your adoring guests praise you savvy.
Cellarbility: Drink by the end of 2029.
Food Match: Roast veal in a pesto crust.
Price: $24 CDN (Ontario).
RKS 2024 Wine Rating: 92/100. Jamessuckling.com 90.
(Château Castagnac 2020 AC Fronsac, Vignobles Coudert, Villegouge, France, 750 mL, 13.5%).
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