Located North of Bordeaux city on the Left Bank, the Médoc wine region covers 16,500 hectares of vineyards (40K acres) divided in 8 different appellations:
- 2 regional appellations : Haut-Médoc and Médoc AOPs
- 6 communale appellations : Listrac-Médoc, Moulis-en-Médoc, Margaux, Saint-Julien, Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe.
Listrac-Médoc, just like Moulis is one of these lesser-known appellations neighboring the all prestigious appellations granted the highest rankings in the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux Left Bank’s wines.
Yet, character and value for money, deep and age-worthy wines are to be found in Listrac.
Created in 1957, the Listrac-Médoc AOC is a relatively small wine-growing area covering 567 hectares of vineyards (1400 acres) or 4% of the whole of Médoc’s vineyard surface area.
Vines here are planted at an average 7000 vines per hectare, and the total annual wine output of the AOC is around 3.5 million bottles.
Grape varieties are those typical of a Bordeaux blend:
- A majority of Merlot here in Listrac
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Petit Verdot
- Cabernet Franc
20 different Chateaux produce Listrac Médoc wines, as well as 1 cooperative winery that covers 25% of the appellation (about 40 wine growers take their grapes to the Grand Listrac Vignerons Associés winery.
Learn about Listrac Médoc & Fourcas Borie Wine Review in Video
The Listrac Wines of Château Fourcas-Borie, Médoc
Château Fourcas-Borie has been owned by Madame Monique Rochette Borie’s family for over 100 years when she inherited it in 1976.
The estate is now run by Bruno Borie who also owns the prestigious Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Classified Growth of Saint-Julien.
The property covers about 22 hectares including 13 hectares of vineyards (32 acres) planted with a majority of Merlot, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.
The wines are aged in French oak barrels in the traditional Bordeaux winemaking, including 20% new barrels.
2016 Château Fourcas-Borie, Médoc
Score: 91+/100 points
Blend of 68% Merlot Noir, 21 % Cabernet-Sauvignon, 11 % Petit Verdot.
Overall Review Notes & Tasting Impressions
A Médoc wine with a surprisingly dark red color filled with intense purple hue.
The nose still feels introvert and youthful at this stage, yet featuring bright and vibrant dark cherry aromas, the signature of Merlot, freshened up and augmented by lively notes of raspberry and blueberry. It’s deepened and made smell somewhat savory by intense notes of dark cocoa and chocolate, vanilla and caramel, a controlled yet obvious influence of oak in this young wine.
The palate reveals many facets to an intense and deep wine. First your taste buds are treated with a big burst of fresh red berry flavors supported by a salivating acidity. Tannins are smooth and relatively dense if only slightly granulous. Explosion of sweet spices and black pepper, as well as savory coffee and licorice flavors.
A complex and layered wine, still young but extremely promising with a 10-15 years ageing potential. Give it 5 years to develop and mature, and it will become an extremely successful and enjoyable wine. The most complete, the densest yet most opulent wine produced by Chateau Fourcas-Borie over the three latest vintages tasted here. The one to invest on surely for cellaring.
2015 Château Fourcas-Borie, Médoc
Score: 90+/100 points
Blend of 75% Merlot Noir, 10% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 15 % Petit Verdot.
Overall Review Notes & Tasting Impressions
Dark red color tainted with both some purple and subtle oranges hues. The nose feels generous and ripe from the generously warm 2015 vintage. It’s opened and expressive, dark cherry and caramel from the high percentage of Merlot, dark coffee and nutmeg.
Opulent and generous mouthfeel, soft tannins on a mouth coating body. The generosity of gorgeous ripe fruit characters, with the acidic tension of a relatively cold climate and clay terroir, deepened by a wealth of savory spices.
A relaxing Médoc wine, with concentration and acidic tension, yet opulent extrovert expression. A great vintage for early enjoyment.
Drink now and before 2025.
2014 Château Fourcas-Borie, Médoc
Score: 91/100 points
Blend of 52% Merlot Noir, 30% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 18% Petit Verdot.
Overall Review Notes & Tasting Impressions
A wine with a bright dark red color with hints of orange hues. It’s deep in its appearance.
The nose is spicy and profound, featuring dominant blackberry aromas lifted up by intense black pepper and clove. Needs time and aeration to open up fully. Decant/areate prior to serving.
Smooth and silky texture with characterful granulosity to the tannic texture. Fresh ripe berry fruit characters married to deep vanilla, sweet spices and dark cocoa.
The young vintage that is pretty much ready to drink now if you like young wines, already open and approachable.
Drink now and within the next 5-8 years (2019-2025).
Learn More about Listrac Medoc & Fourcas Borie
Read more about Listrac-Médoc on the appellation’s official website: listracmedoc.com
The wines of Chateau Fourcas-Borie on chateau-fourcas-borie.com
The Wines & Chateau of Listrac-Médoc, Bordeaux
The various properties, wineries and cuvées produced under the Listrac-Medoc appellation include:
Château Baudan
Château Cap Léon Veyrin
Château Capdet
Château Clarke
Château Dacher de Delmonte
Château Donissan
Château Ducluzeau
Château Fonréaud (Château Chemin Royal rouge, Chateau Fonréaud rouge, Château Fonréaud Le Cygne blanc, Château Fonréaud Clos des Demoiselles rouge)
Château Fourcas Dupré (Château Bellevue Laffont rouge, Château Fourcas Dupré rouge, Château Fourcas Dupré Hautes Terres de Fourcas Dupré rouge)
Château Fourcas-Borie (Château Fourcas Hosten rouge, Château Fourcas-Hosten Les Cèdres d’Hosten rouge, Château Fourcas-Hosten blanc)
Château Fourcas Hosten
Château l’Ermitage (Château l’Ermitage Sainte Cécile blanc, Château l’Ermitage Epicuria rouge, Château l’Ermitage Edonist rouge)
Château Lafon
Château Lestage
Château Liouner (Château Liouner rouge, Château Liouner Cuvée Pierre rouge, Château Liouner La Rosée de Liouner rosé, Château Liouner L’Aile de Liouner blanc)
Château Mayne Lalande (Château Mayne Lalande rouge, Château Myon de l’Enclos rouge)
Chateau Martinho
Château Peyredon-Lagravette
Château Reverdi
Château Saransot-Dupré
Chateau Sémeillan Mazeau
Château Vieux Moulin
Grand Listrac
Tradition de Lalande
Rose Saint Croix
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