Sitting before an impressive lineup from Fleury-Dubourg, established in 1768, I feel privileged to share these hidden gems with you. Each bottle tells its own story across multiple Bordeaux appellations, offering fascinating expressions of terroir. The remarkable diversity spans from robust reds to elegant sweet wines, each conveying its own compelling narrative of tradition and place. Thanks for sending me these bottles! Special announcement: Fleury-Dubourg is seeking importers in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and other countries.
The Stars of the Show: A Wine-by-Wine Journey
I had the privilege of tasting these exceptional Bordeaux wines. The reds are outstanding and pair beautifully with food, while the sweet white wines are equally impressive in their food pairings. Though these wines shine on their own, they truly blossom when accompanied by food. Don’t hesitate to experiment with unconventional pairings—try a sweet wine with spicy Asian cuisine or a savory vegetarian dish. You might even discover that a full-bodied red pairs wonderfully with desserts like chocolate mousse.
Clos des Servitudes: The Boutique Beauty
AOC Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux
Imagine a tiny 0.90-hectare plot producing one of the most intriguing Merlots I’ve encountered. This is what wine discovery is all about – finding those hidden gems that challenge your preconceptions.
- Appearance: Deep garnet with brilliant purple highlights, silky smooth in the glass
- Nose: Pronounced intensity with pristine black fruits, blackberry, and plum, underlaid with an intriguing mineral streak, very complex and smooth like velvet
- Palate: Dry and full-bodied with medium tannins and acidity, showing a concentrated fruit core and remarkable freshness. Subtle spices and herbs complement the wine, while the 14% alcohol integrates perfectly, leading to a long, lingering finish
- Conclusion: Outstanding quality, showing impressive concentration while maintaining elegance
The Tech Story:
- Production limited to 3,500 bottles
- 25-year-old vines in sand and limestone soils
- 14-16 months total aging (split between tanks and oak)
Château du Pavillon: The Riverside Charmer
A.O.C. Bordeaux Supérieu
This estate, built in the 18th century along the Garonne River, embodies classical Bordeaux charm. The 2.90-hectare vineyard creates wines that punch well above their appellation status.
Built-in the 18th century along the Garonne River, it embodies classical Bordeaux charm. The 2.90-hectare vineyard creates wines that punch well above their appellation status.
- Appearance: Deep ruby-red with brilliant clarity
- Nose: A refined bouquet of ripe red fruits, delicate spices, and elegant oak
- Palate: Dry, medium-plus body with polished tannins and perfectly integrated 13% alcohol
- Conclusion: Excellent quality, demonstrating superb varietal character
Behind the Scenes:
- 2,500 bottles produced
- 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Gravel, sand, and limestone soils
- Temperature-controlled fermentation with micro-oxygenation
Château Fleury: The Graves Classic
A.O.C. Graves
From their flagship estate comes a wine that exemplifies why Graves remains one of Bordeaux’s most respected appellations. Oh wow this is a big one!
- Appearance: Deep ruby-red with long, elegant legs
- Nose: Complex aromas of red fruits, tobacco, and forest floor
- Palate: Full-bodied with fine-grained tannins and remarkable persistence, high in tannins and acidity but perfect in balance, smooth and a very long aftertaste
- Conclusion: Outstanding quality, showing excellent aging potential
Production Details:
- Just 1,800 bottles from 0.45 hectares
- 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Classic Graves River gravels
- 100% French oak aging
The Sweet Side: Loupiac’s Liquid Gold
Château Les Roques: The Classic Expression
A.O.C. Loupiac
This is where Fleury-Dubourg shows its versatility. On the best lands of Loupiac, overlooking the Garonne, they craft a sweet wine that balances richness with remarkable freshness.
- Appearance: Brilliant golden yellow
- Nose: Intense honey, apricot, and citrus notes
- Palate: Perfect balance of sweetness and medium (+) in acidity
- Conclusion: Excellent quality, showing beautiful typicity
Technical Excellence:
- 6,300 bottles produced
- 80% Sémillon, 18% Sauvignon, 2% Muscadelle
- 40-year-old vines
- Extended 24-month aging
Château Les Roques Cuvée Frantz: The Crown Jewel
A.O.C. Loupiac
The prestigious cuvée represents the pinnacle of their sweet wine production. Only the finest barrels cut this exceptional wine.
- Appearance: Deep golden with brilliant clarity
- Nose: Complex bouquet of honey, exotic fruits, subtle oak
- Palate: Luxurious texture, perfect balance, high in acidity, exceptional length
- Conclusion: Outstanding quality, showing aging potential of 15-20 years
The Details:
- Limited to 3,000 bottles
- 85% Sémillon, 13% Sauvignon, 2% Muscadelle
- Special barrel selection
- Additional aging in oak and acacia
Château Gravelines: The Historic Treasure
A.O.C. Premières Côtes de Bordeaux
With vines averaging 75 years of age, this historic property creates remarkable depth and character wines.
- Appearance: Pale gold with green highlights
- Nose: Delicate white fruits and floral notes
- Palate: Impeccable balance of sugar and acidity, long aftertaste
- Conclusion: Excellent quality, showing excellent potential
Production Notes:
- 6,000 bottles produced
- 90% Sémillon, 10% Sauvignon
- Manual harvest in successive passes
- Traditional steel tank vinification
Why These Wines Matter
The Fleury-Dubourg portfolio is so fascinating because each wine offers a different perspective on Bordeaux’s diversity. From their boutique reds to their masterful sweet wines, there’s a clear thread of quality and attention to detail running through everything they produce.
For the Collector
Age-ability highlights across the portfolio:
- Clos des Servitudes: 8-10 years
- Château Fleury: 10-12 years
- Château Les Roques Cuvée Frantz: 15-20 years
- Château Gravelines: 5-8 years
Final Thoughts
As I finish tasting this remarkable lineup, I’m impressed by how Fleury-Dubourg manages to maintain such high quality across different styles and appellations. These aren’t just wines; they’re liquid histories, each telling the story of its unique terroir and the passionate people behind it. These wines represent the best of what Bordeaux can offer: authentic, terroir-driven expressions that honor their heritage while embracing modern precision where it counts.
Fleury-Dubourg offers an exceptional window into the region’s diversity and potential for wine enthusiasts seeking to explore Bordeaux beyond the familiar names. Each bottle in their collection tells its own story, and they’re all worth hearing.
Thanks again for sending these bottles; this tasting experience was fantastic!
More information: www.fleury-dubourg.com
