Chateau Fonreaud 2014 is a beautifully balanced wine that is showing lovely aged Bordeaux character. There is a lovely balance of mature red fruits and attractive spice notes with vanilla, cassis and graphite notes on the palate. The tannins have softened and the wine has a lovely mouthfeel along with mature savoury notes.

Chateau Fonreaud meaning “Fontaine Royale” is a lovely estate which was purchased in 1962 by Leo Chanfreau. Legend has it that Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry II of England stopped by for a drink of cold water from the fountain and said fountain was renamed in their honour. Leo was a grape grower in Algeria and returned to France with his family after falling in love with the Chateau. They set about a full restoration of the Chateau, cellars and vineyards which were in a poor state. The Chateau is managed today by Jean, Leo’s son who farms sustainably under the Terra-Vitis philosophy. It is a chateau which we have loved for many years and one whose wines keep getting better. Great people, great wine.