Chateau Mayne Vieil Fronsac

History, family, and wine go hand in hand in Bordeaux and Chateau Mayne-Vieil's history can be traced back across three influential families to the 1500s. Descended from the original owners, the Equerry de Paty, Lord of Mayne-Vieil, built the large cellars in the 17th century. Libournais vintners, the Fontemoings, established a new Fronsac vineyard to rival Saint-Emilion, while the Seze family, owners for the last 100 years, restored and expanded the estate after World War I. The Merlot vines of their Fronsac vineyard can be seen from the house in its entirety as it rolls across the beautiful hill overlooking the Dordogne river. The single block vineyard covers 47 hectares (32 of which are in the Fronsac AOC), and is planted with 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc.

Chateau Mayne-Vieil uses permanent grass cover between the rows of vines to reduce the need for herbicide sprays and also to reduce the compaction of the soil as fewer passes by tractor are required. The increased competition for water and nutrients also reduces the vigour of the vines, thus reducing the need for green harvesting, reducing yields and increasing the concentration of the grapes. The chateau is on course for Agriculture Respectueuse de lEnvironnement en Aquitaine (AREA) certification, equivalent to the HVE Level 2, from which it can eventually progress to full HVE 3 accreditation.

Merlot,

The vineyard is planted on fairly steep slopes of clay and silt soil. The 35 year old Merlot vines are trained low and planted close together. Permanent grass cover and green harvesting keep yields low.

85% of the wine is matured in concrete vats and 15% in barrel for at least three years.

Fronsac is a great value alternative to Saint-Émilion, but with a distinct character of its own.

A ripe and pure nose, offering creamy red and black fruit with some dark roast coffee. Tannins are firm, and the palate is concentrated and already well-knit, if still a little youthful. Packed with intense black, mulberry-flavoured fruit, coffee and a twist of toast from the barrel, the ripeness makes this very drinkable now and it will continue to develop more complexity over the next 5 years.

Try with pork chops, roasted or grilled red meats and mature cheeses.

Nolan - Chateau Mayne Vieil Fronsac is a wine I come back to often. This is a proper, gutsy Merlot and it delivers on every level. Fruity yet savoury. I'm always on the look out for wines from either Fronsac or the Cotes De Bordeaux, I find these wines exceptional value for money and well worth looking out for.
Whilst this is fantastic as just a pure and simple glass of wine by itself, the true strength of this bottle is in its versatility with food. It has the power to tackle steak or roasted beef/root vegetables, but this also has the acidity and liveliness to pair with pork or duck, served classically or even when smothered in East Asian style sauces.