Château de Francs
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Angélus expertise meets Francs-Côtes terroir: Grand Cru-level wines at a fraction of the price.
Château de Francs is one of the most distinguished estates in Francs-Côtes de Bordeaux, with origins tracing back nearly 2,000 years to a medieval military fortress. The modern era began in 1985, when Hubert de Boüard of the legendary Château Angélus (Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A) and Dominique Hébrard, former co-owner of Château Cheval Blanc, acquired the property and undertook an extensive transformation of its vineyards and cellars. The 40-hectare estate is planted to 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon on clay-limestone soils that share geological kinship with the great terroirs of Saint-Émilion. The estate also produces a dry white from 2.5 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. With Grand Cru-level expertise applied to a lesser-known appellation, Château de Francs consistently delivers wines of remarkable elegance and value, from the classic château wine to the prestige cuvées Les Cerisiers and Infinity.
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Who Is This For?
Perfect for Bordeaux enthusiasts who want the finesse of Saint-Émilion's best estates without the Grand Cru price tag — and for anyone curious about the hidden gems of the Côtes de Bordeaux.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who revitalized Château de Francs in the modern era?
- In 1985, Hubert de Boüard of Château Angélus (Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A) and Dominique Hébrard, former co-owner of Château Cheval Blanc, purchased the estate and transformed it into a benchmark of the Francs-Côtes de Bordeaux appellation.
- What grape varieties are planted at Château de Francs?
- The 40-hectare vineyard is planted to 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon for red wines. A 2.5-hectare parcel of 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Sémillon produces their elegant dry white wine.
- What are the main cuvées produced at Château de Francs?
- The estate produces three tiers: the classic château wine; 'Les Cerisiers' from old vines, aged in 50% new French oak barrels for 12–14 months; and 'Infinity', a micro-cuvée from the four finest barrels of old-vine Merlot aged in 100% new oak — the estate's most concentrated and complex expression.
- How does Château de Francs compare to Saint-Émilion's Grand Crus?
- Château de Francs shares the same clay-limestone terroir and Angélus-trained winemaking philosophy as the great Saint-Émilion estates, but is priced as an accessible Côtes de Bordeaux. This makes it one of Bordeaux's most compelling value propositions: Grand Cru expertise, everyday price.
- Is the wine suitable for aging?
- Yes. The structured Merlot-dominant blend and clay-limestone terroir give the wines, especially Les Cerisiers and Infinity, excellent aging potential of 10–20 years. The standard château wine is approachable young but equally rewarding after 5–8 years of cellaring.