【Winery owned by legendary wine lover Bernard Magrez】
【Garage wine produced by Bernard Magrez】
【From the best location of Fombrauge estate】
【The first vintage 2000 was released and received full points from Robert Parker】
【Very small quantities are sold, with an annual production of about 500 cases】
【James Suckling 97】【Wine Enthusiast 95】
【Vinous 93】【Wine Spectator 92】【Vivino 4.1】
ZTF178 Chateau Magrez Fombrauge 2016
Special price: $838/piece
Region: France / Bordeaux / Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Grape Varieties: 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc
Aging: French oak barrels for 18 months
Alcohol content: 15.5%
Bernard Magrez is the only winery owner in the wine industry today who owns four classified wineries, including Château Pape Clément, Château Latour Carré, and Château Lafite in Bordeaux, France. (Château La Tour Carnet), Château Fombrauge and Clos Haut-Peyraguey. The vineyards are located in various geographical locations in southern France and in eight other countries.
Chateau Fombrauge was awarded Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe in 2012 and is by far the largest Grand Cru in the region. The word "Fombrauge" is derived from "fons brogiera", which means "a spring surrounded by bushes and heather". It is also one of the oldest estates in Saint-Emilion as it dates back to 1679. Although as early as 1599 grapevines were planted on the site. Chateau Fombrauge is named after an earlier owner, Dumas de Fombrauge, who was also a member of the French government in the 1700s. However, the modern era of Chateau Fombrauge really began in 1999 when Bernard Magrez purchased Fombrauge from the company Hans Just. The first move taken by Bernard Magrez was to hire Michel Rolland as their consultant. Chateau Fombrauge is one of many estates owned by Bernard Magrez, who also owns wine properties on the Left Bank, in Sauternes, as well as Pessac Leognan and Chateau Pape Clement.
Chateau Fombrauge's 60 hectares of right bank vineyards are planted with Merlot and Cabernet franc. The vineyard is the largest classified planting in Saint-Emilion and the second largest vineyard in the entire Saint-Emilion appellation. The average age of the vines is 30 years. The vineyard is planted to a density of 6,600 vines per hectare. The terroir is clay, limestone and sandstone soils. The vineyard is basically divided into 3 parts, the plots close to the castle are on slopes and flat land, they also have vines planted on limestone slopes not far from Chateau Pavie, facing south.
Magrez Fombrauge is a special wine of the winery. It was first released in 2000 by Michel Rolland, the wine consultant. The vineyard is from the best small-scale vineyard of the estate, only 1.8 hectares, and the annual production is about 500 boxes. In the first year, the famous wine critic Robert Parker gave it a full score. It won the praise of many wine critics with its modern style. It was matured in new French oak barrels for 18 months. Wine lovers who like rich and full-bodied wines should not miss it!
【James Suckling 97】
Extremely ripe blackberries, without a hint of overripeness, and a gloss of fine vanilla oak, making this an extremely attractive, modern style St.-Emilion that glides over the palate gracefully, ending in a spectacular interplay of fruit and fine-grained tannins.
【Wine Enthusiast 95】
94–96. Barrel Sample. This rich wine comes from a parcel totally separate from Fombrauge, but under the same ownership. It is dense, with firm tannins and ripe black-plum and berry fruits. The whole ensemble will form a powerful wine as it matures.
【Vinous 93】
The 2016 Magrez-Fombrauge is gorgeous. Espresso, mocha, rose petal, chocolate and spice are all fused together. Sumptuous and racy in the glass, the 2016 boasts superb fruit density, with soft curves to match, and impeccable overall balance. Élevage has done wonders for the 2016, which is now more harmonious than it was when I tasted it several times from barrel. More importantly, it is flat-out delicious.
