Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesDeep purple-black in color, the 2020 Les Cerisiers comes skipping out of the glass with cheery notes of kirsch, raspberry coulis and plum preserves and plush hints of cinnamon toast and mossy tree bark. The medium to full-bodied palate is laden with bright, crunchy red and black fruits, framed by ripe, rounded tannins and bold freshness, finishing perfumed. Barrel Sample : (89 - 91)+
The 2020 Francs les Cerisiers has a pleasing, quite saline nose with ground stone infusing the mainly black fruit. Nice energy conveyed here. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black and red fruit, fine tannins, well-judged acidity with a lively fresh finish. What a joyful wine. Recommended. Best after 2024.
Aromas of blackcurrants, chocolate nibs and sweet spices with an earthy character to it. Medium-bodied with firm, lightly dusty tannins and a juicy red and blue berry character. Refreshing and solid in the finish. Drink or hold.
Chateau de Francs was originally a strong military place under English domination from 115 to 1453 during the battle of Castillon. Only a small part of the castle served as a manor house, the rest was home to 300 troops with their horses and crews. The family of Segur, who had placed the castle at the disposal of the English, was compelled to sell it when the Aquitaine became French again under Henri IV.
In 1986, the estate is taken over by Hubert de Bouard de la Forest, co-owner of the Chateau Angelus and Dominique Hebrard, former co-owner of Chateau Cheval Blanc. Today, the estate has 37 hectares of vines on clay-limestone soil, close to what is found on the plateau of Saint Emilion.
In most of France, wines are named by their place of origin and not by the type of grape (with the exception of Alsace). Just like a red Burgundy is by law, always made of Pinot noir, a red Bordeaux is a blended wine composed mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Depending on the laws of the village from which the grapes come, the conditions of the vintage and decisions of the winemaker, the blend can be further supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and in rare cases, Carmenere. So popular and repeated has this mix of grape varieties become worldwide, that the term, Bordeaux Blend, refers to a wine blended in this style, regardless of origin.