Chateau La Fontaine de Genin

Chateau La Fontaine de Genin is a Merlot-dominant Bordeaux red wine from an 8-hectare estate on clay-limestone soils, available in 750ml bottles. The 2020 vintage earned Gold at the Concours Général Agricole in Paris and Gold at the Lyon International Wine Competition, while the 2018 vintage scored 91/100 from critics — signaling a property on a clear upward trajectory.

Quick Facts: ABV: Varies by vintage (typically 13–14.5%)  |  Origin: Bordeaux, France  |  Blend: 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Cellar Master: Benoit Prevot

Production & Heritage

Chateau La Fontaine de Genin sits on 8 hectares of clay-limestone terroir in Bordeaux, with vines averaging 30 years of age — mature enough to produce concentrated, expressive fruit. Cellar master Benoit Prevot, who also oversees winemaking for Michel Rolland's acclaimed properties Chateau Fontenil in Fronsac and Chateau Le Bon Pasteur in Pomerol, brings rigorous right-bank expertise to every vintage. Fermentation takes place at a controlled low temperature of 25°C to preserve aromatic freshness, followed by maturation split across cement vats, oak barrels, and clay amphora — an unusually diverse aging regimen that contributes distinct textural layers and complexity not commonly found at this level of Bordeaux.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with deep, perfumed black fruit — plums, mulberries, and blackcurrant — before revealing secondary layers of vanilla, espresso, sweet spices, and roasted pistachios. A powdery, almost Mediterranean herbal quality lingers underneath, adding intrigue beyond the fruit core.

Taste: The entry is fresh and juicy, with crushed raspberries and ripe currants immediately present. Mid-palate density builds with jammy red and black fruit character, framed by polished, extremely fine-grained tannins. The overall impression is generous and velvety, with medium body and well-calibrated acidity keeping everything balanced and lively.

Finish: The finish carries good length, with lingering notes of dark fruit and subtle wood influence trailing off smoothly. Tannins remain powdery and integrated through the close, leaving a clean, satisfying conclusion.

How to Drink La Fontaine de Genin

This Bordeaux is best served at 16–18°C (60–64°F). Young vintages benefit from 30 minutes of decanting to open the aromatics and soften the tannin structure; mature vintages can be poured directly. A classic Bordeaux-style pairing with roast lamb highlights the wine's herbal and black fruit notes. It works beautifully alongside a duck confit, where its acidity and fruit density cut through the richness. For a lighter context, try it with aged Comté or Gruyère, where the wine's vanilla undertones complement nutty cheese flavors.

Best For

• Introducing a Bordeaux enthusiast to a quality right-bank blend with real pedigree behind the winemaking
• A weeknight dinner wine that punches well above its weight alongside grilled meats or stews
• Building a cellar with approachable, gold-medal Bordeaux from a rising estate
• Gifting to someone who appreciates French wine but doesn't need a trophy-label price tag

Frequently Asked Questions

What does La Fontaine de Genin taste like? It delivers ripe black fruit — plum, blackcurrant, mulberry — with vanilla and espresso undertones, a velvety medium body, and extremely fine, polished tannins. The overall profile is fresh and fruit-forward with good aromatic density and a clean, lingering finish.

How does La Fontaine de Genin compare to Chateau Fontenil? Both wines share the same cellar master in Benoit Prevot, but Chateau Fontenil comes from the Fronsac appellation and typically carries a higher price point reflecting Michel Rolland's direct ownership and brand prestige. La Fontaine de Genin offers a similar winemaking philosophy — precise extraction and balanced oak — at a more accessible tier, making it a compelling value for fans of the right-bank style.

Is La Fontaine de Genin good for drinking now? Yes — the fine tannin structure and fresh acidity make it very approachable on release, particularly with 30 minutes of decanting. Stronger vintages like the 2018 and 2020 also have enough structure to reward several years of bottle aging.

Where is La Fontaine de Genin made? It is produced in Bordeaux, France, from an 8-hectare vineyard planted on clay-limestone soils. The vines average 30 years of age, and winemaking is overseen by cellar master Benoit Prevot.

What foods pair well with La Fontaine de Genin? Roast leg of lamb highlights the wine's herbal and dark fruit character. Duck confit or braised short ribs match its generous mid-palate weight. Aged hard cheeses like Comté or Manchego echo the vanilla and nutty oak notes. Grilled portobello mushrooms or ratatouille complement the earthy Mediterranean quality found on the nose.

What sizes does La Fontaine de Genin come in? The standard bottling is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is La Fontaine de Genin worth the price? It positions as a value-driven Bordeaux red that consistently over-delivers relative to its price tier. The involvement of a cellar master with credentials at top Pomerol and Fronsac estates, combined with gold medals from major French competitions, makes it one of the stronger propositions in the everyday Bordeaux category.

Why La Fontaine de Genin?

The defining edge here is the winemaking pedigree: Benoit Prevot brings the same discipline he applies at Chateau Fontenil and Chateau Le Bon Pasteur to a far more accessible Bordeaux estate. The use of amphora alongside traditional cement and barrel aging is a genuine differentiator — it's a technique more commonly associated with experimental or premium-tier producers, and it contributes a distinctive textural polish to the wine. Dual gold medals from the Concours Général Agricole Paris and the Lyon International Wine Competition for the 2020 vintage confirm that this quality is recognized at the national level, not just in marketing. For anyone seeking a serious, well-made right-bank Bordeaux without the prestige-appellation markup, La Fontaine de Genin is a name worth knowing.