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Bordeaux
,
France
Francs
Tiny High Climber
Don't let the diminutive size fool you. This appellation sits higher than its neighbors, offering a cooler climate that creates wines with snap and verve. It is basically the secret rooftop bar of the Right Bank.
Don't let the diminutive size fool you. This appellation sits higher than its neighbors, offering a cooler climate that creates wines with snap and verve. It is basically the secret rooftop bar of the Right Bank.
Don't let the diminutive size fool you. This appellation sits higher than its neighbors, offering a cooler climate that creates wines with snap and verve. It is basically the secret rooftop bar of the Right Bank.
Taste profile
Crunchy Red
High Acidity
Rare Whites
Prepare your palate for a serious freshness kick. Because of the altitude, Merlot ripens slowly here, keeping acidity high and alcohol reasonable. You get crunchy red fruit rather than jammy stew. Also, keep an eye out for the white wines. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon shine brightly here, offering a zesty alternative to the endless sea of red found elsewhere in the neighborhood.
Prepare your palate for a serious freshness kick. Because of the altitude, Merlot ripens slowly here, keeping acidity high and alcohol reasonable. You get crunchy red fruit rather than jammy stew. Also, keep an eye out for the white wines. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon shine brightly here, offering a zesty alternative to the endless sea of red found elsewhere in the neighborhood.
Prepare your palate for a serious freshness kick. Because of the altitude, Merlot ripens slowly here, keeping acidity high and alcohol reasonable. You get crunchy red fruit rather than jammy stew. Also, keep an eye out for the white wines. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon shine brightly here, offering a zesty alternative to the endless sea of red found elsewhere in the neighborhood.
The vibe
Sleepy Rural
High Altitude
Organic Haven
Picture a sleepy hobbit village where nothing much happens, but the scenery is gorgeous. It is the smallest and most eastern of the Côtes, tucked away from the flashy tourist trails. You will find more tractors than tour buses. The dry, sunny climate prevents rot, meaning winemakers can easily farm organically without breaking a sweat or their bank accounts.
Picture a sleepy hobbit village where nothing much happens, but the scenery is gorgeous. It is the smallest and most eastern of the Côtes, tucked away from the flashy tourist trails. You will find more tractors than tour buses. The dry, sunny climate prevents rot, meaning winemakers can easily farm organically without breaking a sweat or their bank accounts.
Picture a sleepy hobbit village where nothing much happens, but the scenery is gorgeous. It is the smallest and most eastern of the Côtes, tucked away from the flashy tourist trails. You will find more tractors than tour buses. The dry, sunny climate prevents rot, meaning winemakers can easily farm organically without breaking a sweat or their bank accounts.
Who's who
Thienpont Family
Value Hunters
Smart Buyers
Famille Thienpont is the undisputed royalty here, having put the region on the map with Château Puygueraud. If you want to taste what this terroir can really do, start there. Beyond the big names, look for ambitious young growers buying up affordable land to experiment. It is a hotbed for talent that can't afford Pomerol prices but still wants limestone soils.
Famille Thienpont is the undisputed royalty here, having put the region on the map with Château Puygueraud. If you want to taste what this terroir can really do, start there. Beyond the big names, look for ambitious young growers buying up affordable land to experiment. It is a hotbed for talent that can't afford Pomerol prices but still wants limestone soils.
Famille Thienpont is the undisputed royalty here, having put the region on the map with Château Puygueraud. If you want to taste what this terroir can really do, start there. Beyond the big names, look for ambitious young growers buying up affordable land to experiment. It is a hotbed for talent that can't afford Pomerol prices but still wants limestone soils.
LOCAL TALES
A Royal Camping Trip
A Royal Camping Trip
A Royal Camping Trip
Legend says the name isn't a coincidence. Back in the 6th century, after the Battle of Vouillé, the Frankish army led by Clovis allegedly set up camp on these very hills. They apparently found the strategic height useful for spotting enemies - and likely realized it was a decent spot for agriculture too. While they didn't have Merlot back then, the spot has been known as 'Ad Francos' for ages, marking it as the place where the Franks hung out before conquering the rest of the neighborhood. It is arguably the oldest military campsite that you can drink from today.
Legend says the name isn't a coincidence. Back in the 6th century, after the Battle of Vouillé, the Frankish army led by Clovis allegedly set up camp on these very hills. They apparently found the strategic height useful for spotting enemies - and likely realized it was a decent spot for agriculture too. While they didn't have Merlot back then, the spot has been known as 'Ad Francos' for ages, marking it as the place where the Franks hung out before conquering the rest of the neighborhood. It is arguably the oldest military campsite that you can drink from today.
The White Unicorns
The White Unicorns
The White Unicorns
In a land drowning in red wine, Francs pulls a magic trick. It is one of the few places on the Right Bank that actually produces stellar dry white wines. While neighbors in Pomerol or Saint-Émilion wouldn't dream of sacrificing prime red-wine terroir for Sauvignon Blanc, growers here use the limestone soils to make zippy, aromatic whites. It is a bit of a paradox, like finding a really good salad at a steakhouse, but these bottles are often the hidden gems that sommeliers hoard for themselves because they are fantastic and ridiculously cheap.
In a land drowning in red wine, Francs pulls a magic trick. It is one of the few places on the Right Bank that actually produces stellar dry white wines. While neighbors in Pomerol or Saint-Émilion wouldn't dream of sacrificing prime red-wine terroir for Sauvignon Blanc, growers here use the limestone soils to make zippy, aromatic whites. It is a bit of a paradox, like finding a really good salad at a steakhouse, but these bottles are often the hidden gems that sommeliers hoard for themselves because they are fantastic and ridiculously cheap.
The Continental Shift
The Continental Shift
The Continental Shift
Weather geeks love this place because it acts differently than the rest of Bordeaux. Located further inland and sitting higher up, it experiences more extreme temperatures - colder winters and hotter summers. This 'continental' influence means vines wake up later in spring and avoid frost, but the fruit ripens fully in the summer heat without getting baked. It creates a unique tension in the glass that you just don't find in the flatlands down by the river. It is extreme viticulture, Bordeaux style, resulting in wines that have energy rather than just weight.
Weather geeks love this place because it acts differently than the rest of Bordeaux. Located further inland and sitting higher up, it experiences more extreme temperatures - colder winters and hotter summers. This 'continental' influence means vines wake up later in spring and avoid frost, but the fruit ripens fully in the summer heat without getting baked. It creates a unique tension in the glass that you just don't find in the flatlands down by the river. It is extreme viticulture, Bordeaux style, resulting in wines that have energy rather than just weight.
LOCAL WINE STYLES
Bordeaux Right Bank
While the neighbors across the water are busy stiffening their upper lips with rigid structure, this side relaxes into a plush pillow of fruit. Expect richness without the wait, offering instant gratification in a glass through lush textures.
While the neighbors across the water are busy stiffening their upper lips with rigid structure, this side relaxes into a plush pillow of fruit. Expect richness without the wait, offering instant gratification in a glass through lush textures.
Bordeaux Red Blend
Imagine a structured, polished hug from a French count who lifts weights. This blend combines strength with elegance, offering layers of dark fruit and savory spice that unfold slowly like a good mystery novel.
Imagine a structured, polished hug from a French count who lifts weights. This blend combines strength with elegance, offering layers of dark fruit and savory spice that unfold slowly like a good mystery novel.
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