Fronsac/Canon Fronsac
These appellations, centered around the town of Fronsac on the Dordogne River, northwest of Saint-Émilion, produce only red wines. The wines of Fronsac are Merlot-based with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Canon-Fronsac is a small appellation within Fronsac that generally produces fuller-bodied and more complex wines, as suggested by its required 1/2-percent higher minimum alcohol content. Wines from both appellations are known to be big and full flavored with a firm tannin structure that may require aging. The improved quality of recent vintages and a new softer style have created renewed interest in the Fronsac area. As a matter of fact, this thriving appellation is producing some of the best values in Bordeaux.
