Fronsac

Château Richelieu

At Château Richelieu, our unique, singular terroir is our greatest asset. Taking seasonal variations on board, we aim to emphasise this point of difference by focusing on individual vineyard sites right through to winemaking. The 33 hectares of Merlot (70%), Cabernet franc (15%), Cabernet-Sauvignon (10%) and Malbec (5%) vines draw their unique characters from the blue clay and Fronsadais molasse soils.

In 2009, a new vineyard restructuring policy was introduced and every new vineyard is now designed to take into account the type of soil and aspect of the vines. Grass cover allows us to adjust any excess water and regular sowing adds organic matter and structure. We use environmentally-friendly techniques without fail and take a light-handed attitude to plant protection along with manual canopy management and an empirical approach based on constant observation and careful thought throughout the seasons.

In the winery, the barrels are selected depending on the vineyard site and the grape varieties in a bid to promote varietal expression. The different batches of wine are tasted and express typical characters. After a year of maturation in French oak casks from forests that match our aromatic criteria, three labels are produced: our mid-range Château Richelieu, with its predominant Merlot backbone combined with the finesse of the Cabernet franc, shows a smooth palate and silky tannins; La Favorite de Richelieu is a compelling wine with bold tannins; and the Cuvée Royale offers aromatic complexity and power with spicy and floral notes imparted by the Malbec.

Testimonial:

“Our winemaker fully understands our ambitions and has supported and guided our quality-driven approach for 10 years. Our like-minded ethos and mutual respect allow us to work together with precision in order to reveal freshness and volume in the wines and preserve the intrinsic persona of the fruit. From winemaking through to blending, the aim is to produce singular, racy wines”. Sylvie Perez

Distinguishing features:

The newly-built winery with a capacity of 3,000 hl and an air-conditioned cellar housing up to 500 barrels is the culmination of all the hard work and effort devoted to the vineyards. They enable us to produce wines that are even more precise and represent a milestone for Château Richelieu whose focus, more than ever, is on the future. The unusual, origami-shaped roof follows the contours of the rolling Fronsac landscape whilst its vented wooden canopy stretches like a hand reaching out to the 17^th-century charterhouse, home to five guestrooms each with a meaningful name. History and legend echo the aromatic typicity of our three wines. The Cardinal, who has now become our property’s ambassador, illustrates the new label.

WINE FACT SHEET:

Château Richelieu
Fronsac

Soils: blue clay and Fronsadais molasse.
Varietal range: Merlot (80 to 90 %), Cabernet franc.
Ageing: 12 months in casks, 50 % new.

Consultant winemaker: Stéphane Toutoundji