Château Cru Godard
| Vigneron | Franck and Carine Richard |
| Location | Francs (Gironde) |
| Size of Domaine | 12 ha |
| Terroir | Atlantic climate. Clay-limestone soil. 100-120m altitude. |
| Viticulture | Certified organic (Ecocert) |
| View Château Cru Godard wines ↓ |
Bordeaux’s Côtes can be a treasure trove of brilliant value, honestly made Bordeaux, especially when they’re in the hands of talented vignerons such as Carine and Franck Richard. Following a tip from Chateau Beynat’s owner Alain Tourenne, we visited the domaine for the first time in 2015 and were instantly convinced by both the wines and the people behind them.
Although its clay-limestone soils are identical to those of neighbouring Castillon, Francs Côtes de Bordeaux’s vineyards are higher up (107-127m) which helps keep freshness in the wines, and the rainfall is one of the lowest in the region due to local airstreams, allowing cabernet to ripen properly.
Taking over the domaine in 1998, Franck and his wife immediately began farming organically, obtaining certification with the 2010 vintage. Most of the vines inherited from the previous generation are still there and their average age is now 45yo which would put many Grand Cru Classé to shame. Vinification and élevage are as gentle as possible, the aim being to make wines that are pure and express all the freshness of their terroir.
Château Cru Godard Wines
FRANCS-CÔTES-DE-BORDEAUX 2021
65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec
65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec (13.5% alc.)
This wine comes from low yielding, organically tended vines on a south facing limestone hillside, and we love the fact that the independently minded owner Franck Richard does everything according to his own feel and doesn’t lean on an oenologist. Aged half in cuve and half in 3-5yo barrels it has ripe fruit (low sulphur), nicely cosseted by a refreshing saline quality emanating from limestone.