France

Cabernet Sauvignon

Merlot

Cabernet Franc

Ch. La Vieille Cure

Chateau La Vieille Cure Fronsac

Bordeaux

Fronsac

Deep garnet-purple in color. Tar and rubber notes lead to a core of baked plums and kirsch with a waft of bay leaves. The medium-bodied palate is soft and breezy with a lively backbone and minerally finish.

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

The 2023 La Vieille Cure is deep garnet-purple in color. A touch closed to start, broody tar and cedar notions eventually open out to notes of baked plums and boysenberry preserves with wafts of underbrush and wild sage in the background. The medium to full-bodied palate has appealing freshness and soft tannins, with lively black fruit and a savory finish.

A blend of 78% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, La Vieille Cure 2022 has a pH of 3.45 and a deep purple-black color. The nose is so fruity with vibrant scents of fresh blueberries and blackberry pie, followed by hints of Indian spices, menthol, and crushed rocks. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and juicy, with ripe, rounded tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and spicy.

Unusually high alcohol for the vintage, but it stays in balance, with a focus on bitter black chocolate, baking spices and cloves, along with plenty of tannins and powerful raspberry and black cherry fruit. This delivers on En Primeur promise, and is a definite wine to look out for. 40hl/h yield, 40% new oak, Jean Luc Thunevin consultant since 2013, continuing with new owner Jerome Pignard, who has been in place since 2018. Clay limestone soils. Harvest September 30 to October 12.

Inside Bordeaux

The 2020 La Vieille Cure is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. Broody tar, black truffles, and damp earth notes give way to a fragrant core of baked black plums and fruitcake with a waft of sandalwood. The full-bodied palate is laden with black fruit preserves and exotic spice accents, supported by plush tannins, finishing with great length.

Fronsacs are often a little austere when just in bottle, as their limestone soils are showing maximum impact. Be patient though, as this will flesh out within a few years and provide luscious black cherry and damson fruits alongside the chocolate and tar notes. A yield of 42hl/ha. 70% new oak. First full year under new owner Jerome Pignard, who bought from the American team of Colin Ferenbach and Peter Sachs. Jean-Luc Thunevin consultant.

2024	No priceNot available	Excellent
2023	No priceNot available	Excellent
2022	No priceNot available	Excellent
2021	No priceNot available	Excellent
2020	No priceNot available	Outstanding

Category	Red wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Ch. La Vieille Cure
Vintages	2003
Country	France, Bordeaux, Fronsac
Bottle	75 cl

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Sugar	g/l

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