Château Villars Village: Saillans Appellation: 36ha Fronsac Grower: Thierry Gaudrie Website: https://www.chateauvillars.com/ When leaving Libourne and traveling west on the “route départementale” toward Bordeaux, one must cross the narrow Isle river just before it merges with the Dordogne. Beyond the bridge, the meandering Dordogne emerges on the left of the road and the vineyards of Fronsac become visible on the right. The appellations of Fronsac and Canon Fronsac are considered the “historic birthplace” of great Libournais (right bank) wines and the village of Fronsac and its idyllic surroundings have many historical claims going back to the days of Charlemagne. The vineyards are laid out on hillsides and high plateaus that overlook the Dordogne River and its tributary, the Isle. Together the two appellations have 1,050 hectares under vine; 800 in Fronsac and 250 in Canon Fronsac; slightly more than Pomerol and one fifth the amount planted in Saint Emilion. The average size of a Fronsac estate is uncharacteristically small by Bordeaux standards. Despite having established a great reputation by the 18th century, in recent times the wines of Fronsac and Canon Fronsac have been largely overlooked and underappreciated. Chateau Villars is in the northeast corner of the Fronsac appellation, in the village of Saillans. It has been owned by the Gaudrie family since the beginning of the 19th century and is now run by Thierry Gaudrie who represents the sixth generation. Thierry has brilliantly carried forward the same tradition of quality that won his grandfather Octave a gold medal in 1907. The estate covers thirty-six hectares with thirty hectares under vine and the rest divided between meadows and forest. The hillside property faces southwest and the soil is primarily a mix of chalky clay over “Fronsac” sandstone. Chateau Villars 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. According to the vintage, the percentages of Merlot/Cabernets can vary quite a bit. News December 30, 2021 Harvest at Château Villars, Fronsac December 30, 2021 Don’t miss the tasting this Saturday! @ Madrona Wine Merchants, Seattle: The Corners of France Click the link below to see it in color! www.madronawinemerchants.com The Corners of France Saturday, March 3rd 2 pm Saturday afternoon we're pouring a fine selection of wines from the diverse regions of the French countryside. We'll have wines from the Loire, Burgundy, Bordeaux, and the Southwest regions of Gaillac and Jurançon. These wines not only represent geographic diversity, but they are each from small, independent growers who make distinct and interesting wines tucked away in the corners of the wine industry. The wines are delicious. Come try them. 2010 Christophe Thorigny, Vouvray Sec $14 Chenin Blanc Christophe Thorigny farms 10.5 hectares in the village of Parcay-Meslay, in Vouvray. His family has owned vineyards in the village for four generations. Christophe farms according to the principle of "lutte raisonnée" or minimal intervention and keeps his yields low by severe pruning throughout the season. It is a very complex and layered wine. 2009 Paul Garaudet, Bourgogne Blanc $17 Chardonnay Paul Garaudet's 10 hectares of vineyards sit in the heart of the Côte of Beaune, between Volnay and Meursault. Paul is the 4th generation to cultivate the family estate. His Bourgogne Blanc is crisp and clean with good supportive fruit. And it is an excellent value. 2010 Domaine Philémon, Gaillac Rouge, Croix d'Azal $10 Braucol Domaine Philémon is located in the small village of Villeneuve-sur-Vere where the Vieules family has had a vineyard since 1804. Today they grow wheat, sunflowers and grapes in equal proportions. The wheat and sunflowers are grown organically and the vineyard is being certified organic. The vines are traditional Gaillac grape varieties, with a good proportion of them being more than fifty years old. The Croix d'Azal is produced entirely from Braucol. It is a wonderful expression of this grape variety with all of its typical spiciness and woodsy floral aromas. 2004 Chateau Villars, Fronsac $20 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon Chateau Villars has been owned by the Gaudrie family since the beginning of the 19th century. This hillside vineyard faces southwest with 35 years old vines. Harvesting is done in stages to allow each vineyard block to reach full maturity. After careful bunch selection the grapes are vinified in traditional cement vats and receive an extended maceration of up to 4 weeks. Each vat is tasted throughout the month of November and a rigorous selection is made before the wine is put in barrels. The wine is aged in barrel, one third new for 10 to 14 months. It is a solid Bordeaux that is ready to drink at a great price. 2010 Camin Larredya , Jurançon, Costat Darrèr $20 Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng Larredya is a small vineyard situated in the Chapelle de Rousse area of Jurançon. The majority of the vineyard, planted 40 years ago, is terraced on steep and curved slopes that form an amphitheater. It is farmed organically. The Costat Darrèr is a blend of Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng with the exact proportions varying according to the vintage. The wine is fermented in barrel and rests there for eight months "sur lie" The wine is off dry but not quite dessert, just succulent, with enough spice and mineral to keep things interesting. Madrona Wine Merchants 1127 34th Ave Seattle WA 98122 (206) 860-6017 info@madronawinemerchants.com www.madronawinemerchants.com Wed -- Fri: noon to 7 Saturday: 11 to 7 Sunday: 11 to 5 December 30, 2021 Four of Our Beloved Producers wind up their East Coast visit this September @ Restaurant Savona in Gulph Mills, Pennsylvania We enjoyed a lovely, superbly attended to dinner at Savona Restaurant on the Main Line outside of Philly. A wonderful restaurant and historic spot, where Aaron Burr held headquarters during the Revolutionary War. https://www.barsavona.com Sommelier Michele Gargiulo is in front, behind her left to right are Elisabeth Billard from Domaine Billard, Thierry Gaudrie from Chateau Villars, Franck Lihour from Domaine Castera and Catherine Dargaud from Chateau Le Breuil Renaissance. At the last minute our friend Nico Roumagnac could not make the trip, he was called early to harvest. WINE MAKERS DINNER FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015 Nicolas Roumagnac Fronton Rosé, Chateau Roumagnac, 2014 Wilted Endive & Radichio Salad, Sungold Cherry Tomatoes, Parmagiano Reggiano v Elisabeth Billard Hautes-Cotes de Beaune Blanc, "La Justice", Domaine Billard, 2012 Plancha Quick Seared Scottish Salmon, Local Sweet Corn, Pearl Onions, Vanilla v Catherine Dargaud Medoc, Chateau Le Breuil Renaissance, 2012 Carolina Quail, Barley & Farmer’s Cabbage, Natural Jus v Thierry Gaudrie Fronsac, Chateau villars, 2012 Hereford Beef Short Rib, Preserved Truffle-Root Vegetable Ragu v Frank Lihour Jurancon "Cuvée Privilege", Domaine Castera, 2011 Frecon Orchard Roasted Peaches, Rosemary Cake, lavender Crema
December 30, 2021 Don’t miss the tasting this Saturday! @ Madrona Wine Merchants, Seattle: The Corners of France Click the link below to see it in color! www.madronawinemerchants.com The Corners of France Saturday, March 3rd 2 pm Saturday afternoon we're pouring a fine selection of wines from the diverse regions of the French countryside. We'll have wines from the Loire, Burgundy, Bordeaux, and the Southwest regions of Gaillac and Jurançon. These wines not only represent geographic diversity, but they are each from small, independent growers who make distinct and interesting wines tucked away in the corners of the wine industry. The wines are delicious. Come try them. 2010 Christophe Thorigny, Vouvray Sec $14 Chenin Blanc Christophe Thorigny farms 10.5 hectares in the village of Parcay-Meslay, in Vouvray. His family has owned vineyards in the village for four generations. Christophe farms according to the principle of "lutte raisonnée" or minimal intervention and keeps his yields low by severe pruning throughout the season. It is a very complex and layered wine. 2009 Paul Garaudet, Bourgogne Blanc $17 Chardonnay Paul Garaudet's 10 hectares of vineyards sit in the heart of the Côte of Beaune, between Volnay and Meursault. Paul is the 4th generation to cultivate the family estate. His Bourgogne Blanc is crisp and clean with good supportive fruit. And it is an excellent value. 2010 Domaine Philémon, Gaillac Rouge, Croix d'Azal $10 Braucol Domaine Philémon is located in the small village of Villeneuve-sur-Vere where the Vieules family has had a vineyard since 1804. Today they grow wheat, sunflowers and grapes in equal proportions. The wheat and sunflowers are grown organically and the vineyard is being certified organic. The vines are traditional Gaillac grape varieties, with a good proportion of them being more than fifty years old. The Croix d'Azal is produced entirely from Braucol. It is a wonderful expression of this grape variety with all of its typical spiciness and woodsy floral aromas. 2004 Chateau Villars, Fronsac $20 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon Chateau Villars has been owned by the Gaudrie family since the beginning of the 19th century. This hillside vineyard faces southwest with 35 years old vines. Harvesting is done in stages to allow each vineyard block to reach full maturity. After careful bunch selection the grapes are vinified in traditional cement vats and receive an extended maceration of up to 4 weeks. Each vat is tasted throughout the month of November and a rigorous selection is made before the wine is put in barrels. The wine is aged in barrel, one third new for 10 to 14 months. It is a solid Bordeaux that is ready to drink at a great price. 2010 Camin Larredya , Jurançon, Costat Darrèr $20 Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng Larredya is a small vineyard situated in the Chapelle de Rousse area of Jurançon. The majority of the vineyard, planted 40 years ago, is terraced on steep and curved slopes that form an amphitheater. It is farmed organically. The Costat Darrèr is a blend of Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng with the exact proportions varying according to the vintage. The wine is fermented in barrel and rests there for eight months "sur lie" The wine is off dry but not quite dessert, just succulent, with enough spice and mineral to keep things interesting. Madrona Wine Merchants 1127 34th Ave Seattle WA 98122 (206) 860-6017 info@madronawinemerchants.com www.madronawinemerchants.com Wed -- Fri: noon to 7 Saturday: 11 to 7 Sunday: 11 to 5
December 30, 2021 Four of Our Beloved Producers wind up their East Coast visit this September @ Restaurant Savona in Gulph Mills, Pennsylvania We enjoyed a lovely, superbly attended to dinner at Savona Restaurant on the Main Line outside of Philly. A wonderful restaurant and historic spot, where Aaron Burr held headquarters during the Revolutionary War. https://www.barsavona.com Sommelier Michele Gargiulo is in front, behind her left to right are Elisabeth Billard from Domaine Billard, Thierry Gaudrie from Chateau Villars, Franck Lihour from Domaine Castera and Catherine Dargaud from Chateau Le Breuil Renaissance. At the last minute our friend Nico Roumagnac could not make the trip, he was called early to harvest. WINE MAKERS DINNER FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015 Nicolas Roumagnac Fronton Rosé, Chateau Roumagnac, 2014 Wilted Endive & Radichio Salad, Sungold Cherry Tomatoes, Parmagiano Reggiano v Elisabeth Billard Hautes-Cotes de Beaune Blanc, "La Justice", Domaine Billard, 2012 Plancha Quick Seared Scottish Salmon, Local Sweet Corn, Pearl Onions, Vanilla v Catherine Dargaud Medoc, Chateau Le Breuil Renaissance, 2012 Carolina Quail, Barley & Farmer’s Cabbage, Natural Jus v Thierry Gaudrie Fronsac, Chateau villars, 2012 Hereford Beef Short Rib, Preserved Truffle-Root Vegetable Ragu v Frank Lihour Jurancon "Cuvée Privilege", Domaine Castera, 2011 Frecon Orchard Roasted Peaches, Rosemary Cake, lavender Crema