TERROIR PROFILE
Fronsac & Canon-Fronsac
Limestone-côtes insider tip
Fronsac: Pomerol's neighbour at a quarter of the price — limestone slopes with energy.
Climate, site & wine
Clay-limestone and limestone, locally called 'molasse du Fronsadais', form the slopes, with chalky clay on lower ground; the soils are well drained. Merlot dominates, Cabernet Franc and Malbec add spice and structure.
The wines are powerful, dark-fruited and slightly rustic, with a firm core and good structure. The style is earthy, firm and dense, with ageing potential. Canon-Fronsac, the upper hillside zone, covers about 280 hectares of vines.
TERROIR PROFILE · Bordeaux
Fronsac & Canon-Fronsac Limestone-côtes insider tip
Fronsac: Pomerol's neighbour at a quarter of the price — limestone slopes with energy.
SOILS
Limestoneprecise, mineral
Limestone delivers tension, structure and a cooler, more mineral character.
Loambody-rich, velvety
Loamy soils give wines volume and a soft, velvety mouthfeel.
Marlbalanced, structured
Marl is a mix of limestone and clay — yields structured, balanced wines with acidity backbone.
CLIMATE · Maritime
Oceanic climate with continental traits, at the confluence of the Dordogne and the Isle. Proximity to the rivers softens frost and the slopes are well aired. Merlot ripens reliably, with Cabernet Franc and Malbec adding freshness in good years.
TOPOGRAPHY · steep
Hill country west of Libourne between the Dordogne and the Isle; most vineyards lie on slopes, the upper zone forming the small appellation of Canon-Fronsac. Height differences are considerable for Bordeaux and drainage is good.
WHAT IT MEANS IN THE GLASS
Similar terroirs worldwide
Computed from fingerprint similarity
Mittelhaardt
Palatinate
96% similar
- Sun (slightly): Fronsac & Canon-Fronsac gets less sun → paler colour, more herbal spice (6 vs. 7).
Remstal
Württemberg
96% similar
- Dryness (slightly): Fronsac & Canon-Fronsac is drier → more concentrated, denser, smaller berries (6 vs. 5).
Wineries on this terroir
See all 18 →Château Plain Point
Saint-Aignan
Renown 3/100
Château Barrabaque
Fronsac
Renown 3/100
Château Lambert
Saint-Aignan
Renown 3/100
Domaine Jean Yves Millaire
Fronsac
Renown 1/100
Château Chadenne
Saint-Aignan
Renown 1/100
Chateau Magondeau
Saillans
Renown 1/100
Château de la Dauphine
Fronsac
Vignobles Rousselot
Saint-Aignan
This terroir's soils in the glossary