Villars Fronsac - 2011 (750ml)

Importer's Notes:

As Thierry has replanted his vineyard over the past two decades, he has paid close attention to its variable soils and inclinations, selecting the optimal match of root stock and grape variety. The current varietal mix is about 80% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and the vines are on average 35 years old. A manual harvest is done in stages to allow each vineyard block to reach full maturity. After careful bunch selection (in 1996 50% of the harvest was declassified), the grapes are vinified in traditional cement vats and receive an extended maceration of up to 4 weeks. Throughout the month of November, each vat is tasted so that Thierry can select those destined to be bottled as Chateau Villars with the remaining vats used for second labels. In December, the selected vats are moved to barrels, one third new, for 10 to 14 months. After this period, a second “triage” is made to create the final assemblage which is then blended and put back into cement tanks for six months before bottling. The wine is fined with egg whites but not usually filtered.

89 points Wine Spectator

Sleek and fresh, with lovely damson plum and red currant fruit, lined with a violet note. The finish lets lightly singed spice flavors fill in, providing a velvety feel overall. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2017. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 4,050 cases made, 60 cases imported.