Château Fonroque 2011
Run by d’Alain Moueix
Technical Director Laurent Nougaro
Vintage weather conditions
After a mild, dry winter, budding was early (two weeks earlier than usual). Summer quickly took over from spring. The temperatures recorded overall were above the seasonal average, and the weather was dry. Flowering began similarly early and went very well. On 26 and 27 June, the temperature exceeded 40°C, causing burns on some grapes. July and August were gloomy but the vine cycle retained its head start on growth. The early harvests benefited from particularly favourable conditions in September.
Harvest area*
17,59 hectares
Harvest terroir*
Limestone plateau and limestone-clay hillside
Grapes harvested*
85% Merlot – 15% Cabernet Franc
Harvest dates
6 to 24 September
Winemaking
Cultivation methods
Estate certified organic since 2006 and biodynamic since 2008 – member of Biodyvin.
Maturation
30% new barrels and 70% ethat have contained at least one previous wine
Yield
47 hectolitres / ha
Production
60.933 bottles
* For this Vintage.
Tasting notes
Complex and airy on the nose. Fresh fruit (currant, raspberry) and floral (violet) aromas mingle with touches of tobacco and humus. The wine is supple and soft in the attack, then develops a crystalline dimension with wonderful energy. Taking a classic approach, this is both refined and crisp, boasting its usual silky texture and plenty of elegance. The finish is lingering and dynamic for the vintage, with saline notes and hints of gingerbread. Its prevailing minerality signals its Saint-Emilion origins.
Notes updated by Alain Moueix – 2017
‘Château Fonroque 2011 had a fairly pronounced tannic framework in its youth. Some people described it as austere. However, I always thought that it would eventually be delicious, as the backbone provides good support to an elegant, classic body. This has now proven to be the case, and I enjoy it from aperitif time onwards to take advantage of the complexity of its nose, which offers up flowers, fruit, stone and spice.’