France

<p>The newly-formed Côtes de Bordeaux appellation – a hilly strip of land just across the river from Graves, dubbed the "Saint-Émilion satellites"– is a region brimming with potential. At its eastern fringe lies Franc-Côtes de Bordeaux, the sunny limestone-clay slopes of which are particularly suited to Merlot and Cabernet Franc.</p><p>Here Sophie Holzberg is realising her vision of delicious and sustainable winemaking at Château Franc Cardinal, the 10ha estate she founded with her husband before his tragic death in 2010. 
 
In contrast to the tiered cuvée model of many other estates, Sophie crafts just one wine from her three organically certified vineyard sites. A blend of Merlot (70%), Cabernet Franc (25%) and Malbec (5%) with minimal wood influence, it combines a wild berry character with fresh cigars, forest floor and fine, silky tannins, and possesses the exact sort of freshness and elegance sought by drinkers tired of jammy, high-alcohol Bordeaux.</p>

Franc Cardinal

Wines

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