Château Ad Francos Réserve Ad Aeternam (red)
A concentrated 100% Merlot from old vines averaging 50 years of age. Integral vinification in barriques gives it a velvety structure, notes of black cherry, blackberry, cedar and chocolate, and a long, elegant finish.
| Category: | Red |
|---|
Château Ad Francos Réserve Ad Aeternam 2018 is an exceptional red wine made from 100% Merlot grown on old vines with an average age of 50 years. The rare and demanding technique of complete vinification directly in barriques, followed by 12 to 18 months of ageing, gives the wine remarkable concentration, a full body, beautifully integrated oak and excellent potential for further development.
VARIETY
100% Merlot
VINIFICATION AND AGEING
Complete fermentation takes place directly in barriques: 50% new and 50% one-year-old French oak barrels. The wine is then aged for 12 to 18 months in oak with integral vinification.
BOTTLING
6,500 bottles
TASTE AND PROFILE
An exceptionally deep, concentrated and complex red wine. The nose reveals intense aromas of ripe black cherries, blackberries and plum compote, complemented by subtle nuances of cedar, vanilla, dark chocolate and fine tobacco. The palate is full-bodied, velvety and warm, with a rich structure of ripe tannins. The long, elegant finish combines concentrated fruit with beautifully integrated fine oak.
SOMMELIER’S RECOMMENDATION
An excellent match for roasted or grilled red meats such as flank steak or beef tenderloin, game, roast duck and aged hard cheeses. Serve at 16–18 °C. We recommend decanting for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the wine’s rich aromatic profile to open fully.
Discussion
Be the first who will post an article to this item!
Château Ad Francos is a historic wine estate in the Francs Côtes de Bordeaux appellation. According to local tradition, the site's history is linked to a Frankish garrison that settled here after Clovis I's victory over the Visigoths at Vouillé in 507. The old name Ad Francos gave rise to the name of the village of Francs, which in turn gave its name to the local wine appellation.
The estate's modern restoration was led by Viviane and André Vossen, who also restored its original name. The current owners, Guillaume Brochard and Qiong Er Jiang-Brochard, have continued their work. Expert soil analyses by Claude and Lydie Bourguignon played an important role in restoring the vineyards, helping to make better use of the potential of the local clay-limestone soils.
Renowned oenologist Michel Rolland also helped shape the wines. The estate's consulting oenologist is Julien Viaud of Rolland & Associés. Cellar practices are tailored to each wine: part of the white Château Ad Francos is fermented in egg-shaped concrete vessels, while the red Réserve Ad Aeternam is fermented and aged in new French oak barrels. Its 2022 vintage received 93 points from Decanter magazine in its en primeur assessment./p>