The estate goes back to the 16th century, which makes it one of the oldest châteaux in the Saint Emilion region. The first harvests were carried out in 1599. The origin of the name “Fombrauge” comes from the old Occitan terms “fons brogiera”, which means “spring surrounded by heather and bushes”. The spring and its fountain still exist today, powerfully masonry in cut stone in the heart of the estate's vines. Originally spelled “Fontbrauge” or “Fonbrauge” interchangeably, it was in the 19th century that the current spelling “Fombrauge” was formalized.
The beautiful 17th century old country manor was originally the cloister of the town’s Carthusian Monastery. Owned by Jacques de Canolle in 1466, the estate later belonged to the Dumas de Fombrauge family, who implemented the first quality winemaking in the estate in the 18th century. Jacques François Dumas inherited the estate in 1758 and the Taffard Saint-Germain family took it over in the 19th century and continued to develop the vineyards.
Bernard Magrez bought the estate in 1999 and made the necessary investments to improve the property by restructuring the vineyard and the layout of the cellars, and restored the charterhouse and the gardens to magnifiy the reception venues. These renovations elevated Chateau Fombrauge to the highest level of quality and produce one of the greatest wines of Saint Emilion. In 2012, Château Fombrauge was promoted as Grand Cru Classé, rewarding the efforts of modernization and continuous improvements.
Fombrauge Saint Emilion is made from 96% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc.
Château Fombrauge 2020 has a dark red hue, intense fruit aromas and elegant tannins that offer a generous mouthfeel rarely seen in wine so young.
The nose reveals aromas of cherries, blackberries and raspberries, along with spicy notes.
On the palate, the wine i round, soft and silky. Its deep richness, matched with a nice freshness and a long and mellow finish, make it already a great Château Fombrauge, with a long ageing potential.
Chateau Fombrauge Saint-Emilion Grand Cru's food pairing
This wine is floral, exuberant, with lengthy smooth tannins, and metallic notes.
This cuvée takes its name from a small parcel of the Adrianna Vineyard that is completely covered with oval white stones and was the site of an ancient riverbed. The abundant stones provide optimal drainage and extreme temperatures. They absorb heat and moderate the nights, but also function like ice cubes after a very cold night. Stony soil Malbecs tend to be extremely aromatic, rich and luxurious, just like the River Malbec from Adrianna. This wine can be enjoyed young or aged for decades.
Pair with grilled meats.
Review:
There is an usual stony austerity in the 2021 Adrianna Vineyard River, cropped from a cold year when the full clusters fermented in concrete with a slightly shorter maceration and an élevage in a 2,000-liter oak foudre and the rest in stainless steel. It has a moderate 13.4% alcohol with very high acidity (8.2!) and a low pH (3.37), incredible parameters of freshness. The wine was closed and took time to take off in the glass, revealing a very elegant and subtle personality, with the silky texture of the very fine tannins, pristine aromas and flavors and a sense of harmony that was moving. It's powerful but extremely elegant in that rare combination of clout and energy, a wine of light, aerial, with some ethereal qualities, delicate and refined. This combines the cool place and high altitude, the cool year and the stony soils, to deliver a stunning Malbec that goes well beyond the variety. Bravo!
-Wine Advocate 100 Points
Le Jade Picpoul de Pinet is made from 100% Picpoul de Pinet
Pale straw color. Delicate white flower, citrus and juicy pear aromas. Fresh, crisp, and bright acidity with mineral and saline accents. Well-balanced and easy-drinking.
A refreshing treat laced up with snappy food-friendly acidity.
Picpoul Le Jade makes a classic match with oysters on the half shell and goes very well with exotic food in general. Picpoul means lip-smacking good.
SOIL : Clay and limestone soil just a few kilometres from the reputed Etang de Thau (salted water lagoon) overlooking the Mediterranean town of Sète.
VINIFICATION : Grapes are harvested at 12°- 13° maturity
Skin maceration for several hours
Selection of drained juice after undergoing pneumatic pressure.
Cold double decantation.
Thermoregulated fermentation at 16°C
No malolactic fermentation.