Chateau Jean Faux Les Sources 2019: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Elegant & Restrained

A refined, modern Bordeaux red with just the right mix of fruit, savoury detail and structure. Think crunchy red berries and plum, a gentle sweet-spice note, and a polished, velvety mid-palate. The tannins are ripe and grainy (in a good way), and there’s a surprising freshness that keeps the finish lifted, juicy and quietly classy.

Highlights

• Ecocert certified organic & biodynamic Bordeaux red
• Blend: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
• Refined red fruit, sweet spice and a velvety, juicy mid-palate with ripe, grainy tannins
• Native yeast ferment; raised in French oak for 12–14 months, then rested in tank before bottling
• 2019 noted as a strong vintage with excellent growing conditions

Taste Profile

Tasting Notes

On the nose: fresh, ripe red fruit (think red cherry, redcurrant and plum) with a little sweet spice and a faint cedar-like savoury edge. The palate starts bright and crisp, then builds into a velvety, tasty mid-palate that feels juicy rather than heavy. Tannins are ripe and grainy, giving shape without grip for grip’s sake, and the finish has that lovely Bordeaux combination of warmth and freshness, with excellent length and an elegant, juicy close.

Winemaking

Fruit is sorted both in the vineyard and in the cellar (including a vibrating sorting table and densimetric bath). The grapes are put into vats without crushing, with alcoholic fermentation and native yeasts. Fermentations take place in stainless steel and concrete vats (20–80 hL), with manual remontage and pigage when needed, then the wine is vertically pressed. Malolactic fermentation occurs in barrel, followed by ageing in French oak for 12–14 months and additional time in tank before bottling.

Vineyard & Vintage

Les Sources is an Ecocert certified organic and biodynamic Bordeaux red. The 2019 vintage is noted as a great year with excellent growing conditions, supporting the wine’s ripe fruit core and its surprising freshness. The blend (Merlot with Cabernet Franc) gives that classic Right Bank feel: plush fruit through the centre, with a leafy, savoury lift and a moreish, structured finish.

Why We Love It

Because it’s the kind of red that feels “put together” without feeling fussy. It’s juicy enough to pour with dinner, structured enough to impress a Bordeaux lover, and the biodynamic/organic farming adds a feel-good layer to the whole experience. If you’re after a refined, food-friendly red that doesn’t shout, this is a lovely pick.

Food Pairing

This is a savoury, structured red that loves protein, roasted flavours and classic French-style dishes. Try matching this wine with →

• Roast chicken with herbs and garlic — Recipe Search
• Beef ragù or mushroom ragù pappardelle — Recipe Search
• Steak with pepper sauce (or lentils with roasted mushrooms) — Recipe Search

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

A Cheese Board Match when you want something quietly elegant: good company, good conversation, and a bottle that stays polished from first pour to last.

Cellaring

Drink now for bright fruit and freshness, or cellar for a few more years to let the oak and savoury notes knit in. As a guide, it should drink well through the later 2020s when stored in cool, stable conditions. If you love more secondary character (cedar, tobacco, dried herbs), give it time.

Producer

Chateau Jean Faux is a Bordeaux estate making wines with an organic and biodynamic focus (Ecocert certified), aiming for purity and balance rather than overt heaviness. Attention to detail starts at sorting: fruit is checked in the vineyard and again in the cellar using tools like a vibrating sorting table and densimetric bath, then handled gently (put into vats without crushing). Ferments use native yeasts in stainless steel and concrete vats, with measured extraction, followed by malolactic in barrel and ageing in French oak. The result is a refined, food-friendly style with real structure and freshness.

Related Wines To Try →

If you love this polished Bordeaux feel, these are great next bottles:

• Cullen Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
• Tamburlaine No Added Preservative Cabernet Merlot
• Shop all Red Blends

FAQ

What is a Bordeaux wine?

Bordeaux is a major wine region in south-west France, famous for structured, age-worthy reds made from classic grapes like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Most Bordeaux reds are blends (rather than a single variety), designed to balance fruit, freshness and tannin for food-friendly drinking. In the glass, you’ll often see a mix of red/black fruit, subtle savoury notes (cedar, earth, tobacco) and a dry, firm finish.

What style of red is Les Sources 2019?

It’s a refined Bordeaux blend led by Merlot with Cabernet Franc for lift. Expect polished fruit, savoury detail and a structured but elegant finish. It sits in that “classic and food-friendly” lane rather than big and jammy.

What will I taste in the glass?

Fresh red berries and plum, a hint of sweet spice, and a velvety, juicy mid-palate. There’s also a subtle savoury edge (think cedar/earthy notes) that builds with air. The finish is long, with ripe, grainy tannins and surprising freshness.

How dry is it, and what’s the body like?

It’s dry, medium to medium-full in body. Merlot gives a plush centre, while Cabernet Franc adds a brighter, slightly herbal line. Overall it feels balanced and composed, not heavy.

How would you describe the tannins and acidity?

Tannins are ripe and grainy, giving shape without harshness. Acidity is fresh and lively for a red of this style, which helps the wine feel lifted and makes it very food friendly. If you like reds that don’t feel “flat,” you’ll enjoy this.

What temperature should I serve it at?

Aim for around 16–18°C (a touch cooler than room temperature). If your house is warm, 15–20 minutes in the fridge before serving works wonders. Use a medium-to-large red wine glass to let the aromatics open.

Should I decant it?

It’s not essential, but it can help. A 20–30 minute decant (or even a big swirl in the glass) will soften the tannins and bring out more savoury spice. If you’re drinking it slowly with dinner, it will naturally open as you go.

How long can I cellar it?

It’s drinking well now, but it should also age nicely for several years thanks to its structure. Stored well, it can develop more secondary notes like cedar, tobacco and dried herbs as the fruit relaxes. If you prefer fresher fruit, drink sooner.

Is it organic or biodynamic?

Yes — it’s Ecocert certified organic and biodynamic. That certification reflects both vineyard practices and oversight, not just marketing language. It’s a lovely choice if you’re seeking a classic red made with a more mindful farming approach.

What about preservatives (sulphites)?

Most wines contain naturally occurring sulphites and may also have sulphites added for stability. This wine is certified organic/biodynamic, but that doesn’t automatically mean “no sulphites.” If you’re sensitive, always check the label and product specs for the most accurate information.

What food is best with it?

Roast chicken, steak, ragù, lentils with mushrooms, and anything with herbs and roasted flavours are all perfect. It also shines with hard cheeses and charcuterie because the tannins and acidity cut through richness. Think “classic dinner table red.”

If I like Bordeaux or Right Bank reds, will I like this?

Yes — it’s very much in that polished, structured family. Compared with some heavier Bordeaux styles, this leans a touch brighter and juicier, with a fresher finish. If you like Merlot-led blends that stay elegant, it’s a great match.

Related Wines

• Tamburlaine No Added Preservative Cabernet Merlot 2025
• Cullen Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2024
• Cabernet Merlot Blends

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