Château Fontenil
シャトー・フォントニル
Michel Rolland's personal masterpiece — the estate that put Fronsac on the world wine map.
Château Fontenil is the personal estate of world-renowned oenologist Michel Rolland and his wife Dany, located in the commune of Saillans in the Fronsac appellation of Bordeaux. Acquired in 1986, the couple spent 13 years completely modernizing the 11-hectare property. The estate is planted with 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc across 10 hectares of red wine vines, plus 1 hectare dedicated to white varieties (Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon, Muscadelle, and Chardonnay). In 2019, Château Fontenil became the first estate in Fronsac to produce white wine with Le Blanc de Fontenil. The estate's flagship wine is vinified in temperature-controlled wood and stainless steel vats and aged in 60% new French oak barrels, resulting in wines of deep fruit concentration, velvety tannins, and exceptional structure that have elevated Fronsac's global reputation.
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Who Is This For?
Ideal for Bordeaux lovers seeking modern, concentrated right-bank wines and collectors drawn to legendary winemakers' personal projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who owns and makes the wine at Château Fontenil?
- Château Fontenil is the personal estate of Michel Rolland, the world's most influential flying winemaker, and his wife Dany Rolland — both holding degrees in oenology from the University of Bordeaux.
- What is the signature style of Château Fontenil?
- Modern and precise, with deep fruit concentration, silky tannins, and a sophisticated structure. The wine is aged in 60% new French oak barrels, producing impressive complexity with excellent aging potential of 15–20 years.
- What wine labels does Château Fontenil produce?
- Three labels: the flagship Château Fontenil (Fronsac AOC), Le Défi de Fontenil (Vin de France, 100% old-vine Merlot from a 1.6-hectare parcel, debut 1999), and Le Blanc de Fontenil (white wine, debut 2019, Fronsac's first white).
- Does Château Fontenil pair well with Japanese cuisine?
- Yes — the refined tannins and balanced acidity make it excellent with grilled wagyu, soy-braised beef, unaju (eel over rice), and umami-rich Japanese dishes.
- How does Château Fontenil compare to Saint-Émilion Grand Cru wines?
- It rivals many Saint-Émilion Grand Cru classés in quality while typically offering better value, and reflects Michel Rolland's most personal expression of Bordeaux's right bank.