A small plateau of shlallow limestone and clay soils, weather moderated by the nearby Gironde, centuries of history producing great Merlot-based wines ... surely you'd expect to pay a premium for anything from this exceptional Right Bank region. But think again. While prices in Pomerol and St-Emilion continue to climb (often to eye-watering numbers these days), the humble Fronsac appellation is still a veritable treasure trove of stupendous values that are hardly matched anywhere in Bordeaux.
Our line-up today offers a fantastic picture of what makes Fronsac such a rewarding region for Bordeaux lovers seeking the ultimate combination of quality and value. Led by a pair of highly acclaimed expressions from the benchmark La Vieille Cure estate, you won't find more impressive bang for your buck on the Right Bank. The historic Chateau de la Dauphine hit new heights with its "positively stellar" 2020, and long-time B-21 favorite Fontenil is "a winner and well worth a case purchase" according to Jeb Dunnuck. Finally, Canon Pecresse turned out "a pure, mineral-laced Right Bank ... very much in the classic, balanced, yet impressive style of the vintage."
The best part of the proposition is that you can indulge in any or all of them as much as you please. With pricing like this, you can stock the cellar with guaranteed value performers that will shine well into the next decade and beyond.
A blend of 89% Cabernet Franc and 11% Merlot that is produced from vines on one of the highest limestone plateaus of the appellation, the 2020 Canon Pécresse reveals scents of spring flowers, graphite, cassis, blueberry and a touch of spices with aeration in the glass. On the palate, this wine is medium to full-bodied, lively and fresh, with racy acidity and a long, saline, penetrating finish. It will offer a broad drinking window.
92 points, Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate (Apr 2023)
Heady and potent blackcurrant aromas on the nose with expressive floral elements, too. Really alive and inviting with beautiful texture. Smooth, with intensity of cool blue fruits, blueberries and chalky, creamy black cherries. Round and gentle, yet with plenty of flavour and textural interest in the softly fleshy tannins. Not super-concentrated but has power and complexity, really well delivered and refined. Vibrant, pulsing with energy, expertly weighted in the mouth, minty aspects, liquorice touches and wet stones. Lots going on here.
92 points, Georgina Hindle, Decanter (Jan 2023)
Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Canon Pecresse skips out with youthfully exuberant notes of red and black cherries, juicy plums, and charcoal, followed by hints of cloves and fallen leaves. The medium-bodied palate is tight-knit and energetic, delivering fine-grained tannins and bold freshness to match the intense fruit, finishing with lovely purity.
91 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Mar 2023)
Readers looking for a pure, mineral-laced Right Bank in the vintage will love the 2020 Château Canon Pecresse, which is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc from the upper limestone plateau that was raised in just one-third new French oak. It has a great nose of ripe raspberries, spring flowers, sappy herbs, and a salty, chalky mineral character that emerges more on the palate. Medium-bodied, focused, and straight, with ripe tannins, it's very much in the classic, balanced, yet impressive style of the vintage. It will keep for a solid decade.
90 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Mar 2023)
The 2020 Canon Pécresse is a rich, heady Fronsac. It offers up an exotic mix of blackberry jam, cloves, licorice, menthol and chocolate. Big, bold and explosive, Canon Pécresse is not exactly subtle, but it sure is tasty.
90 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Feb 2023)
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