Chateau Francs Bories Saint Emilion

Chateau Francs Bories Saint Emilion is a Merlot-dominant red Bordeaux from the Saint-Émilion appellation, bottled at 750ml with an ABV typically in the 13–14% range. The 2019 vintage earned 90 points from James Suckling, underscoring the wine's consistent quality from a small 3.42-hectare vineyard parcel south of the historic Saint-Émilion village.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13–14%  |  Origin: Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France  |  Style: Red Bordeaux  |  Producer: Union de Producteurs de Saint-Émilion

Production & Heritage

Chateau Francs Bories is produced by the Union de Producteurs de Saint-Émilion, one of the appellation's most established cooperative cellars. The blend is led by Merlot with a supporting proportion of Cabernet Franc, sourced from a compact vineyard situated on distinctive siliceous sand and clay soils. Vinification involves extended maceration to fully extract the character of the terroir, followed by aging entirely in vats — no oak barrels are used. Traditional winemaking steps include regular racking, fining with egg white, and rigorous quality controls before bottling.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bright cherries and cassis before unfolding into deeper notes of walnut, cocoa, and bark. There is an underlying layer of red currant and dark fruit that adds complexity without being overpowering.

Taste: On entry, the palate is fruit-forward with red and black currant flavors leading into a polished, medium-bodied mid-palate. A chewy tannic grip develops at the center, balanced by good acidity that keeps the wine lively and structured. The overall impression is youthful, fruity, and approachable without excessive weight.

Finish: The finish is moderate in length with a distinctive chalky, mineral texture. Lingering notes of dark fruit and a subtle earthiness close out each sip cleanly.

How to Drink Francs Bories

This Saint-Émilion drinks well at a slight chill around 16–18°C and needs no decanting to show its best, though 20–30 minutes of air can soften the tannins. It works equally well as a straightforward dinner wine poured from the bottle.

• Classic Bordeaux pairing: Serve alongside roast lamb or grilled beef, where the wine's tannic structure mirrors the richness of the protein.
• Red wine sangria: The fruit-forward, uncomplicated profile makes it a strong base for sangria with citrus and stone fruit.
• Mulled wine: The cherry and cocoa aromatics complement traditional warm-spice mulling ingredients during cooler months.

Best For

• Weeknight Bordeaux drinking without the formality of a classified growth
• Introducing someone to Saint-Émilion's Merlot-driven style
• Dinner parties featuring red meat or charcuterie boards
• Building a mixed case of everyday French reds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Francs Bories taste like? Francs Bories delivers a fruit-driven profile of cherry, cassis, and dark currant supported by medium tannins and a chalky, mineral finish. It is youthful and approachable with secondary notes of cocoa and walnut adding depth.

How does Francs Bories compare to other entry-level Saint-Émilion wines? Because it is aged entirely in vats rather than oak barrels, Francs Bories tends to emphasize fresh fruit purity over the toasty, vanilla-inflected character found in barrel-aged Saint-Émilion bottlings. Its 3.42-hectare vineyard on siliceous sand and clay also contributes a lighter, more mineral-driven texture compared to limestone-based parcels in the appellation.

Is Francs Bories good for everyday drinking? Yes — its medium body, moderate tannins, and straightforward fruit character make it an easy-going wine that does not demand extended cellaring or formal service. It pairs naturally with casual meals and is ready to drink on release.

Where is Francs Bories made? Francs Bories is produced in the Saint-Émilion appellation on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, France. The vineyard sits south of the village of Saint-Émilion, and the wine is vinified by the Union de Producteurs de Saint-Émilion cooperative.

What foods pair well with Francs Bories? Grilled lamb chops benefit from the wine's tannic backbone. A charcuterie board with aged salami echoes its earthy, savory undertones. Beef bourguignon mirrors the rich, dark-fruit character. Semi-firm cheeses like Comté or Tomme de Savoie complement the chalky finish. Roasted mushrooms highlight the wine's subtle bark and walnut notes.

What sizes does Francs Bories come in? Chateau Francs Bories Saint Emilion is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Francs Bories worth the price? Francs Bories positions as an entry-level Saint-Émilion, offering genuine appellation character — Merlot-driven fruit, real terroir expression from sand-and-clay soils, and traditional vinification — at a price well below the appellation's classified estates. The 90-point James Suckling score for the 2019 vintage suggests it punches above its weight for the category.

Why Francs Bories?

What separates this wine from generic Bordeaux is its specific terroir: a small parcel of siliceous sand and clay that gives the wine a distinctive mineral, chalky texture uncommon at this price tier. The decision to age entirely in vats preserves primary fruit intensity rather than masking it behind oak, resulting in a wine that clearly communicates its vineyard origin. A 90-point score from James Suckling on the 2019 vintage confirms that this cooperative bottling delivers serious Saint-Émilion character. For drinkers seeking an honest, terroir-driven Right Bank red without the premium of estate-bottled production, Francs Bories delivers genuine appellation quality.