La Fon du Berger, a Cru Bourgeois from the Haut-Médoc and Pauillac
Château La Fon du Berger is a small family-run estate situated in the Médoc, straddling two prestigious appellations: Pauillac and Haut-Médoc. The estate is located in the commune of Saint Sauveur, 3 km west of Pauillac and close to the Gironde estuary.
The philosophy of this estate lies in reconciling the traditions of the Médoc (terroirs, grape varieties, etc.) with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability (HVE-certified). This involves reducing the use of inputs through mechanical soil management and integrated pest management for vine diseases.
The vineyards of Pauillac border those of several grands crus. Although the wines of the Haut-Médoc appellation are classified as Crus Bourgeois, they nonetheless retain their original spirit as Cru Artisan wines.
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La Fon du Berger
Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois
202015.00 € -
EpuiséLa Fon du Berger
Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois
201915.00 € -
EpuiséLa Fon du Berger
Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois
201816.00 € -
La Fon du Berger
Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois
201617.00 € -
La Fon du Berger
Pauillac
202028.00 € -
EpuiséLa Fon du Berger
Pauillac
201928.50 € -
EpuiséLa Fon du Berger
Pauillac
201829.00 €
History of La Fon du Berger
The story of La Fon du Berger began in 1983, when Gérard Bougès settled on his family’s land in Le Fournas, in the commune of Saint Sauveur. Driven by passion and determination, he purchased and planted further plots, eventually producing his first vintage at the estate in 1988.
The story continues with further acquisitions and plantings, and the construction of the current fermentation room as an extension of the barrel cellar in 1999. This room is entirely equipped with stainless steel vats, providing a functional and modern working environment. 1999 marked the first year that Pauillac wine was produced on the estate.
Today, Gérard Bougès has been joined by his two sons, Vincent and Guillaume, to carry on the family business.
The Vineyard
The La Fon du Berger vineyard is mainly situated on deep gravelly hilltops in Pauillac, adjacent to the vineyards of several grands crus. The vines in the Haut-Médoc benefit from a rather sandy, gravelly soil, which often lends the wine greater finesse.
A traditional blend for the Médoc, comprising 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 5% lesser-known varieties such as Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.
- Cabernet Sauvignon plays a leading role, as it provides the wine with its structure and ageing potential. It remains quite distinctive, with its aromas of red fruits and hints of green pepper, which vary in intensity depending on its ripeness at the time of harvest.
- Merlot gives the wine greater suppleness and roundness, fruitiness and a rich colour.
- Although it is very difficult to bring to full maturity and yields little fruit, Petit Verdot is said to lend the wine character – in other words, complexity.
- Similarly, Cabernet Franc is essential in blends for its ageing potential and the charming, wild notes it imparts to the wine.
The average age of the vines is around fifty years. The planting density is in keeping with the Medoc’s tradition of relatively ‘low’ density. There are between 8,500 and 10,000 vines per hectare, ranging from the youngest to the oldest vines.
Some photos of the La Fon du Berger estate in the Haut-Médoc and Pauillac
