Châteaux Du Fort Pontus, Fronsac, 2020

This is a generous, dry and structured right-bank Bordeaux that seriously over-delivers at the price. 

Made by a truly historic negociant in one of Saint-Emilion's satellite appellations, Fronsac, this Château sits on a plateau overlooking the plain of the right bank. 

From one 6-hectare plot of 30-year old Merlot vines, this is one of the jewels in the Pradel de Lavaux family's crown. They have a number of Châteaux that are spread across the Saint-Emilion area with each producing outstanding versions of the terroir in which they occupy.

Opening with a sweetness that leads to a broad mid-palate and a fresh finish from the Fronsac terroir, this is full of dark fruit, berry and subtle spices. The body has a plush, round and soft texture that makes it hugely versatile for food matching and very easy on its own.

The Pradel de Lavaux family are specialists in Merlot and Cabernet Franc and, in fact, only grow these two varieties in any of their estates. Dedication to quality and a continuous family history dating back to 1740, mark out the success of this wine-making family. They manage business on several fronts, with vineyard management, wine-making and production in one area, with a brokerage wholesale and trading section on the other hand. This spreading of interests means that they stay very much in with the business of business as well as just being really good producers who happen to have a collection of seriously hot Châteaux. The negociant business is very useful for us in dealing with them as they can often have hidden gems that they may have bought from other wineries and not sold through - a bit like me! 

The history is only a feature however, as families can come and go; the dedication and constant nourishment of a singular vision is what is most impressive and has to have been established with some strength in order to have survived numerous wars, revolution, changes in fashion, climate change and still remain in tact, which it has done since the family began... twelve years before Mozart was born.