Château Cassagne-Haut-Canon’s La Truffiere 2006 is riding the new wave of Fronsac wines – as this right bank appellation re-invents itself.

La Truffière is Cassagne Haut-Canon’s top wine. It refers to the truffles found on the estate by the estate dog, and also hints at the nose of this excellent 2006 vintage.

The château, a rather charming farmhouse, is perched on a Fronsac hilltop (northwest of Saint-Émilion), with wonderful views over the Dordogne. They often say that wines reflect the winemaker’s personality, and on our annual Bordeaux field trip, Jean-Jacques Dubois (and his wife and sons who bundled out of their car from the school run!) was bursting with welcoming joie de vivre – a welcome change from certain corporate château.

Truffly and dark berry fruit aromas with background mineral notes. A lovely textured palate with fine supple tannins. Chocolatey notes with a good dollop of dark black berry fruits. Savoury, seductive and moreish.

“Fronsac is one of Bordeaux’s unsung wine regions with a noble history, some great wine terroirs... Fronsac can offer some superb value.” Jancis Robinson (March 2009)