Fronsac Château de La Rivière 1991
The 1991 Château de La Rivière is an Appellation Fronsac Contrôlée red wine, bottled directly at the estate. The 1991 vintage in this region was marked by frost and low quality. Château de La Rivière stands as the physically largest property in the entire Fronsac appellation. With 65 hectares of vineyards and 100 hectares of total land, it operates on a remarkable scale in an area otherwise dominated by smaller family farms. The château itself was restored in the 19th century by the renowned architect Viollet-le-Duc, who is also known for his work on Notre Dame in Paris.
Beneath the château lies an eight-hectare network of underground limestone caves, providing the estate with a distinct acoustic and climatic depth. This infrastructure sets La Rivière apart from most other Bordeaux châteaux and has made the property one of the most photographed in Fronsac. In December 2013, the estate was sold to the Chinese Bolian group, a hotel and tea corporation led by Lam Kok, as part of a larger wave of Chinese acquisitions in Bordeaux during the 2010s.
Fronsac is located on the right bank of Bordeaux, west of Libourne, situated between the Isle and Dordogne rivers. The area, which gained AOC status in 1937, covers approximately 770 hectares across seven communes. The soils here consist of a mixture of limestone, sandstone, and clay on the hilly slopes around Tertre de Fronsac. Wine production in Fronsac is exclusively dedicated to red wines, primarily based on Merlot, which accounts for nearly 80 percent of the plantings, supplemented by Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a small amount of Malbec. Bordeaux, situated by the Atlantic Ocean, has been exporting wine since the Middle Ages. While the left bank of the Gironde estuary is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon on gravel soils, the right bank remains the primary domain for Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux on the Atlantic is the world's most famous wine region and has been exporting wine since the Middle Ages. The legendary 1855 classification still ranks the area's leading châteaux. On the left bank of the Gironde, Cabernet Sauvignon dominates on gravel soils, while the right bank is the domain of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The region is known for elegant, age-worthy blends of great finesse.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
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Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
Allow the bottle to stand upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Use a professional corkscrew and open carefully.
Enjoyment
Serve at 17–18°C and be patient – there is a great difference in how and how quickly wines open up when they are aerated.
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