CHATEAU AD FRANCOS ROUGE

THE FRUIT
AT ITS PEAK

The origin of the village of Francs dates back to the 6th century, when a Frankish garrison from Clovis settled on this hill which was then named "Ad Francos" in Latin, translate "the hill of the Francs".

Château Ad Francos Rouge is obtained from Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes (70, 20, 10%) for all vintages before 2017. Since 2018 this wine has been 100% Merlot. The winemaking method has not changed. The manually harvested bunches are first destemmed, allowing the grapes to be placed in our thermoregulated stainless steel vats, without pressing, just by gravity.

Then begins a precise and modern vinification "on the fruit", giving time for pumping over and punching down. When the fermentations are finished, the wine goes down one floor to the semi-buried cellar at the origins of the old fortress. This dark, temperature-stable room is built on the outcropping limestone of the region. There still flows an ancestral spring which provided the fortress with water during the sieges. This source today provides perfect hydrometry for the aging of our wines in barrels, which stay here for between 12 and 18 months depending on the vintage. Ad Francos Rouge is characterized by an intense ruby color. A pure and expressive nose, with aromas of fresh and crunchy cherry, modest woodiness and notes of fine spices. It has a great aromatic intensity of red fruits, its fullness, its length on the palate and its structure, make it a harmonious wine between power and elegance, perfect with red meats, game and good friends.

Commentary Critics & Journalist

Authentic Wine & Terroirs, Belgium

“...Very beautiful sustained and deep color, with a closed disc of still beautiful youth. Complex and engaging, the bouquet combines in beautiful harmony the scents of jammy black berries (blackberry jelly, blueberry), sweet spices (clove, cinnamon) and fine minerality. This complete and extremely tasty wine was unanimously acclaimed. Tasters highlight its density of substance, its perfect acidity/fat balance and an intact and irresistible fruitiness, illustrated by powerful fruit flavors (bigarreaux, strawberry, blueberry). The whole, sappy and racy, is punctuated by a very long finish which makes you want to come back. This wine has survived the years with great success. ....”

- 2012 vintage - Score 17.5/20 -

The French Wine Review - France

“...This ambitious vintage (100% Merlot) appeals with its nobility. The fruit is refined and fresh. The palate offers a creamy texture, slender with elegant acidity. Nice keep in perspective....”

- 2018 vintage - Score 16.5/20 -

Jane Anson, Decanter, UK,

“...70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Francs, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the few in the appellation that clearly needs a few more years in bottle (this is the case of the two Ad Francos wines tasted). It is a concentrated wine, still extremely young for the moment, with a general register of black fruits and subtle toasted almonds. It has ambition and there is restraint. We could be in St Emilion here, it is a well structured and well made wine. The Ad Aeternam 100% Merlot bottling is another great wine from this estate in the same vintage, and worth watching, but this one stood out for me. As it should be at the asking price....”

- Vintage 2016 - Score 93 -

Falstaff - Peter Moser, Austria

“...Deep dark ruby color with an opaque heart and purple reflections, delicate lightening on the edge. Nuances of red cherries with floral notes in the background, a little licorice, blackcurrant, inviting bouquet. Juicy, red fruits, fresh cherries, lively acidity, mineral and salty, persists for a long time, shows length and good aging potential...."

- Vintage 2022 - Score 92 -

JamesSuckling.com, USA, Hong Kong

“...Lots of blackberry and ink character with crushed stones. Medium to full body with round, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish....” -Vintage 2020 - Score 92 -

“...A rich, flavorful red with blueberries, stones and walnuts. It's full-bodied and intense..."

-2019 vintage - Score 92 -

Andreas Larsson, Sweden, Best Sommelier in the World 2007

“...Pure and intense nose with aromas of blackberry and cherry, modest wood and fine spices. Good grip on the palate, vibrant freshness, ripe black fruits and young but ripe tannins, already good harmony and good length. ....”

- Vintage 2020 - Score 91 -

Critical & Journalist Notes

Technical sheet

Area: 6 hectares
Fermentation: alcoholic and malolactic in thermoregulated stainless steel vats
Aging: between 12 and 18 months, 1/3 new wood, 1/3 1 year old wood, 1/3 stainless steel vats,

Harvest date: between September 10 and 25

Soils: limestone clay
Grape variety: 100% Merlot
Density: 6,600 plants/ha
Yield: 35 hl/ha
Average age of vines: 25 years
Leaf removal: two sides
Green harvest
Harvest: manual
Double sort

Consulting oenologist: Julien Viaud, Michel Rolland & Associés
Production: between 15,000 and 30,000 bottles depending on the vintage
Culture & Cellar Manager: Remy Carrière
Owners: Mr & Mrs Brochard-Jiang

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