Château de Carles Fronsac

Château de Carles sits in Fronsac, on the right bank of the Dordogne, and is the estate's classic bottling alongside the flagship Haut-Carles. Merlot-led, as Fronsac always is, with a little Cabernet Franc.

Plum and black cherry with a touch of woodsmoke and dried herbs, rounder and more approachable than a left-bank Bordeaux at the same money. Good with braises, mushroom dishes and hard cheese.