Chateau Fougas Maldoror Cotes de Bourg Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Fougas Maldoror Cotes de Bourg with wine tasting notes, and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the 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 Fougas Maldoror History, Overview

Chateau Fougas Maldoror is situated in the Cotes de Bourg appellation, not all that far from St. Emilion, which is less than 30 kilometers away. Even though Chateau Fougas Maldoror dates all the way back to 1778, the modern era for the chateau starts in 1976, when the property was purchased by Yves Bechet and Michele Bechet.

The Becht family were well known in Bordeaux at the time of purchase, as they were already established Bordeaux negociants. The estate takes its name from name from a poem, “Les Chants de Maldoror.” Thomas Duclos was recently named the consultant.

Chateau Fougas Maldoror Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 21.25 hectare vineyard of Chateau Fougas Maldoror is planted to 64% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc. The vineyard is in one large, single block of vines. The vineyard has a density of 5,000 vines per hectare.

The vines are old with an average age of close to 40 years. The terroir of Chateau Fougas is a mix of sand, gravel and clay with iron deposits in the soils. Since 2010, the vineyard has been farmed using only 100% biodynamic, farming techniques. They were certified as biodynamic in 2013.

To produce the wine of Chateau Fougas Maldoror, vinification and alcoholic fermentation take place in tank. Malolactic fermentation takes place in new and used French oak barrels. The wine is aged in an average of 33% new, French oak barrels for up to 18 months. Chateau Fougas Maldoror produces close to 9,000 cases of wine per year.

There is a second wine, Chateau Fougas. There are also 2 higher end, special cuvees, Chateau Maldoror Organic Premium, which is made from a specific, parcel selection in the vineyard and Fougas Forces de Vie cuvee, which is produced from almost 100% old vine Merlot.

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

When to Drink Chateau Fougas Maldoror, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Fougas Maldoror needs an average of 1 hour or so in the decanter. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau Fougas Maldoror is usually better with at least 1-3 years of bottle age. Of course that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Fougas Maldoror offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 2-9 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Fougas Maldoror with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

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

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

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