Chateau de Francs Cote de Francs Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau de Francs Cotes de Francs with wine tasting notes, wine, and food pairing tips, best vintages, a history of the property, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau de Francs History, Overview

Chateau de Francs is one of the oldest properties in the Bordeaux region, with a history that dates back almost 2,000 years. From the time of its birth, until it became a vineyard, the estate was used as a military fortress.

The remnants of a gate constructed in the 1600s are the first thing you see at Chateau de Francs. Those antique remains clearly point out the long history of Chateau de Francs in the region.

The modern era for Chateau de Francs begins in 1985, when Hubert de Bouard of Chateau Angelus in St. Emilion, along with Dominique Hebrard purchased the property. Dominique Hebrard, like Hubert de Bouard were both well-known and experienced in Bordeaux. As I mentioned, at the time of the purchase, Hubert de Bouard was the owner of Chateau Angelus.

Dominique Hebrard was previously one of the owners of Chateau Cheval Blanc. Today, Dominique Hebrard is also responsible for the winemaking at Chateaux Chadeuil and Graves de Barrau as well as at Chateau Trianon in Saint Emilion.

Once the new owners took over Chateau de Francs, they began a program of extensive renovations to the entire estate that included the cellars, vat rooms, and wine-making facilities, as well as replanting parts of the vineyard at Chateau de Francs.

Chateau de Francs, Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 40-hectare vineyard of Chateau de Francs is planted to 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon for the red wine. The 2.5 hectares that have been reserved for the production of dry white Bordeaux wine are planted to 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Semillon.

Although the overwhelming majority of the production is dedicated to making red wine. The terroir is clay and limestone soils, which is similar to what you find at many of the better estates in St. Emilion.

For the production of Chateau de Francs, the vinification takes place in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks. The wine is aged in a combination of tank and barrel, evenly split, using 50%, new, French oak barrels.

The vinification of Chateau de Francs Blanc takes place in French oak barrels, of which 50% is new. The wine is aged in 3% new, French oak barrels for 12 months.

Chateau de Francs also produces a high end cuvee’ from the estates oldest vines, Les Cerisiers. Les Cerisiers is aged in 50% new, French oak barrels for between 12 to 14 months. The blend is usually 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

On average, the production of Chateau de Francs is close to 15,000 cases per year. In 2012, Chateau de Francs introduced a luxury Cuvee, Infinity.

Chateau de Francs Infinity is a selection of the 4 best barrels of old-vine Merlot from their vineyards. The wine is made from 100% Merlot and is aged in 100% new, French oak barrels. This could be the top wine in the entire Cotes de Francs appellation.

The best vintages of Chateau de Francs are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005.

When to Drink Chateau de Francs, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau de Francs is better with at least 2-3 years of aging in good vintages. Young vintages can be decanted for up to 1 hour, helping the wine soften to help develop the aromatic character

Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau de Francs offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 2-8 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau de Francs with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau de Francs is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau de Francs is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau de Francs is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

The white wine of Chateau de Francs is best when served with all types of seafood, sashimi, cheese, veal, pork, chicken, and cheese.

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