Chateau Carlmagnus 2022 “License to Taste” , Fronsac AC

Chateau Carlmagnus 2022 “License to Taste” is a special anniversary bottling of Fronsac from Bordeaux, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise, which began with the release of Dr. No in 1962. It follows on from the Chateau Carlmagnus 2020 “Imagine”, commemorating what would have been John Lennon’s 80th birthday, also available to buy at Fareham Wine Cellar.

Chateau Carlmagnus: Blending Tradition and Terroir in Fronsac

Chateau Carlmagnus is owned and run by winemaker, artist and former French fencing champion Arnaud Roux-Oulié. His grandfather, Ernest Roux, had bought Chateau Lague in the 1950s, and Arnaud is the third generation of winemakers in his family.

 A Jewel of Fronsac

When Roux-Oulié took over the estate at the age of 20 years old, he purchased two hectares of vineyards planted on a limestone and clay slope of a rise close to Tertre de Fronsac. The combined vineyards would become Chateau Carlmagnus.

Today the vineyards cover some 38 hectares and have an average age of 25 years old. They are planted on well-draining clay-limestone soils on limestone plateaus. The vineyards are planted with 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.

The estate is named after Emperor Charlemagne, who stayed in and built a fortress in the region. Roux-Oulié has also acquired another property, a Bordeaux Supérieur called Château Francs-Magnus.

Chateau Carlmagnus 2022 “License to Taste” Winemaking

• Blend Composition: Chateau Carlmagnus 2019 consists of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.
• Harvest and Vinification: Grapes are sorted post-harvest and vinified without crushing.
• Fermentation Process: Daily pump-overs and punch-downs were performed.
• Ageing: The wine was aged for 12 to 14 months in oak barrels, with 30 to 40% new oak, depending on the vintage.

Organic Winemaking

From 2020, the first organic wines from both Roux-Oulié’s estates will be released under the Ecocert label and, eventually, all production will be organic and no synthetic insecticides or treatments will be used.