Château Clou du Pin Premium 2020 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Merlot from Bordeaux which arrived at the LCBO last weekend in the May 27 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is widely available across Ontario right now.

It is produced by Domaines Fontana, a family winery that was founded by Huguette and Angelo Fontana in 1950. They were in their mid-twenties at the time and had a dream to plant vines and build a winery, eventually settling in the small town of Gensac in Gironde, about 15 km southeast of Saint-Émilion. They chose Gensac because of the richness of the land that determined the location of their vineyard, high on the hillsides of Gironde.

As the years and vintages went by, not only did the vines grow, but the family also grew as Huguette and Angelo had five children who grew up and inherited their parent's passion for the vine. The boys of the second generation of the Fontana family enlarged the family business by acquiring plots of neighbouring vines and each invested in various trades that are currently present at the Estate. The family heritage has grown further today with the grandchildren of Huguette and Angelo joining Domaines Fontana, bringing with them modernity, a fresh outlook, dynamism, youth, and a common desire to share their passion for vines and wine.

Today, Domaines Fontana has over 300 hectares of land mainly within the commune of Gensac, but also extending over neighbouring and bordering communes. Since 2019, they vines and winery have been HVE (High Environmental Value) certified, a certification that allows recognition of good environmental and health practices in the vineyard. The work of the vineyard and the cellar are adapted to the times, always respecting know-how while adopting new and innovative techniques with the sole aim of producing quality wines. Red wine makes up nearly all (96%) of their production and is made to Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur AOC. The wines are bottled using their own bottling facilities on-premise, and most of the wine is sold in France, with only 30% exported outside the country.

This red wine is the result of a unique and careful selection of the Chai des Domaines Fontana. It bears the Premium label because it is crafted from their best, single vat of Merlot which is chosen for its complexity, rarity, and concentration - the qualities sought for this exceptional cuvée. It is crafted with 100% Merlot from a vineyard planted on clay-limestone soils on hillsides up to 120 metres above sea level, with south-southwest exposure. From pruning to vinification, they practice traditional and reasoned cultivation with soil that is enriched with only organic manure. The grapes were harvested from low-yield plots which result in grapes that produce a structured and concentrated wine. Upon arrival a the winery, the grapes are destemmed and macerated for 30 days, followed by fermentation in stainless steel tanks. It was aged in their cellar which is equipped with a thermoregulation system with micro oxygenation. From an excellent vintage, let's see how this 2020 Merlot from Bordeaux is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU CLOU DU PIN PREMIUM 2020 - AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#28727) (XD) - $18.95
100% Merlot. The rich, ripe, medium-high intensity nose offers dark fruited aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and plum balanced with savoury, musky woodspice, and cocoa notes, plus a touch of floral. It's full-bodied on the rich palate with chewy, well-structured, and fine-grained tannins, along with juicy, well-balanced acidity. Delicious grilled herbs join the blackberry, black cherry, plum, and cocoa replays in a dry flavour profile. Savoury cocoa notes linger on the long, dry, and well-structured finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Domaines Fontana can be purchased through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.