Among the emblematic signatures of the Right Bank, the Château Fombrauge 2018, Collection Or, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé, embodies the hushed splendour of great Bordeaux bottles. This edition, selected by Bernard Magrez, celebrates the aromatic intensity of a generous vintage and the nobility of a terroir where the vine draws power from exceptional soils. Presented in a two-bottle gift box, this pair is conceived as an invitation to sharing, conversation and memory. One opens for today's pleasure, the other waits, gains complexity and becomes tomorrow a well-kept secret. The deep colour, the nuanced bouquet and the ample palate define a wine as suitable for the table as for the moment, able to reveal the beauty of a signature dish or to crystallise a rare moment. If you are looking for a red that combines velvet, vigour and restraint while proudly bearing the values of a Grand Cru Classé, this Collection Or stands out for its balance, its presence and its artistic dimension, worthy of a great Bordeaux house.

Blend and winemaking

True to Saint-Emilion tradition, this wine reveals the natural harmony of a blend centred on sensuality, freshness and structure. Fruit maturity is preserved through careful picking, then winemaking is precisely managed to gently extract colour, aromas and textures. The ageing, carried out in carefully selected barrels, rounds the tannins without ever masking the terroir's identity. You will find that Bordeaux style which marries intensity and restraint, with elegant oak that supports the wine rather than imposes itself. The whole aims for purity of expression and precision of technique, resulting in a full, silky palate held together by a thread of freshness. The Collection Or, to which this 2018 belongs, emphasizes precision and clarity of the cru, for a clear reading of the material where generosity meets a promise of ageing, without harshness or showiness.

Tasting notes

• Appearance: Deep red with garnet highlights, bright shine, leaving slow legs on the glass. This visual intensity suggests concentrated matter and fine maturity, a prelude to a velvety, enveloping tactile experience.
• Nose: Generous bouquet of ripe dark fruits evoking black cherry and blackberry, lifted by delicate floral nuances, soft spices, cedar and a touch of graphite. Aeration reveals precise oak, hints of cocoa bean, light tobacco and a balsamic freshness that balances the whole with distinction.
• Palate: Generous and caressing on the entry, mid-palate upright and juicy, tannins finely wrapped. The fruit stays forward, supported by a savoury thread and a freshness that lengthens the finish. The balance affirms itself between contained power and elegance, offering a noble, perfectly integrated persistence that invites food and conversation.

Serving temperature and advice

Serve between 16 and 18°C in large glasses to reveal aromatic complexity and refine the mouthfeel. Prior aeration, preferably in a decanter for a youthful wine, harmonises fruit and oak and allows the wine to reach full expression. After transport, let it rest calmly so its aromas can settle. Store away from light, at a stable temperature and lying on its side. This 2018 can be enjoyed now for its seductive richness while offering fine prospects for ageing, promising renewed emotions over time.

Food pairings

• Indulgent starters: delicate game terrine, spiced pâté en croûte, finely seasoned beef tartare.
• Roasted meats: dry-aged rib steak, glazed duck breast, herb-crusted rack of lamb.
• Signature dishes: brown mushroom risotto with reduced jus and shavings of aged Parmesan, roasted squab with a reduced jus.
• Hearty regional dishes: melt-in-the-mouth beef daube, duck parmentier, braised veal cheek with aromatics.
• Aged cheeses: aged Comté, sheep's tomme, extra-old Gouda, served at room temperature.

Tasting occasions

The Château Fombrauge 2018, Collection Or is the ideal companion for moments when you want to bring the table to life and honour your guests with tact and generosity. Its refined elegance is appreciated as much at a gastronomic dinner as to mark a personal milestone, or to offer a meaningful and distinguished gift.

• For an exceptional evening where the food and wine pairing writes the thread of a memorable story.
• During a celebratory meal centred on a noble piece of meat or refined regional cuisine.
• As a connoisseur's gift in a two-bottle gift box, between immediate pleasure and considered ageing.

Characteristics

• Name : Château Fombrauge 2018, Collection Or
• Appellation : Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé AOP
• Type : Red wine, Bordeaux style, elegant structure
• Vintage : 2018
• Signature : Bernard Magrez Selection
• Packaging : Two-bottle gift box
• Origin : Bordeaux, Right Bank
• Serving : 16 to 18°C, decanting recommended
• Tasting style : velvety, precise, age-worthy