Clos Du Roy Fronsac AC, Vignobles Hermouet

Description

Clos du Roy is a red Bordeaux wine from the Fronsac appellation of Bordeaux. It is a small property located in the villages of Saillons overlooking the Vallée de l’Isle. Fronsac is 40 km northeast of Bordeaux and 5 km northwest of Libourne and the Saint-Emilion and Pomerol appellations. Like its more famous neighbours it is a region dominated by the Merlot grape.

The first vintage of Clos du Roy was made in 1970. Prior to this the grapes were sold for making bulk wine. The current owners of Clos du Roy, Vignobles Hermouet, acquired the estate in 1987, completing their 30th harvest in 2017. Family-owned Vignobles Hermouet consists of two properties, Clos du Roy with 22 hectares of vineyard and Château Roc Meynard, which covers a 75 hectares (12 under vine) surrounding the Meynard butte in Villegouge village.

The soils at are limestone and clay, with a dominant proportion of clay, soils to which Merlot is particularly suited. The vineyard is planted, at a higher density than the appellation requires, with 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. After harvest, the grapes for Clos du Roy are fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel, followed by a gentle pressing in a small vertical press. The wine then undergoes malolactic fermentation in tank before the wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, a third of which are new. The cuvee is normally 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

A perfect gift for anyone called Roy!