Original bottle illustration — Bacchus Global
Francs Côtes de Bordeaux
VIGNOBLES CARINE & FRANCK RICHARDChâteau Cru Godard
On one of the highest limestone ridges of Bordeaux's Right Bank, a family that has worked this land since 1895 makes its wine without a consulting oenologist, letting the vineyard's minerality and salinity speak for themselves.
- Wine type
- Dry red wine
- Grape
- Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec; proportions vary by vintage
- Appellation
- AOC Francs Côtes de Bordeaux
- Origin
- Francs, Right Bank Bordeaux, France
- Drinking window
- —
- Recommended temperature
- 16–18°C
- Alcohol
- ~14.5% (may vary slightly by vintage)
- Bottle size
- 750 ml
A Family Estate on Limestone Heights
On one of the highest ridges of Bordeaux's Right Bank, the Godard family has tended these limestone slopes since 1895, and today Carine and Franck Richard carry that work forward without the guidance of a consulting oenologist — every decision in the cellar rests with Franck alone.
Merlot forms the backbone of the blend, joined by Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, fermented with wild yeasts and raised without new oak so the wine's limestone-driven minerality and gentle salinity remain the focus.
In the glass
Appearance
—
Aroma
—
Palate
Medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and a natural saline edge, kept lean and focused rather than softened by new oak.
Before it reaches the glass
Temperature
Best appreciated at 16–18°C, where the tannins and fruit aromas open most fully.
Timing
Young releases benefit from opening the bottle 30–60 minutes before service, or decanting if needed, to let the fruit round out and the texture smooth.
Glassware
A Bordeaux-style glass helps draw the fruit and tannins together.
At the table
The wine's fine tannins and mineral salinity make it a flexible partner across cuisines, provided dishes avoid heavy chili heat or very sweet glazes.
Its structure favors umami-driven, moderately rich dishes over very spicy or very sweet preparations.
Japanese
- Sukiyaki with a light sauce
- Roast duck
- Wagyu lean cuts
Why it worksUmami-forward, lower-fat preparations let the wine's salinity and fine tannins come through without competing for attention.
Thai
- Mild massaman beef curry
- Light northern-style Thai sausage
- Grilled meats
Why it worksDishes with restrained chili and citrus allow the wine's structure to stay balanced rather than overwhelmed by heat.
Western
- Roast beef
- Lamb
- Aged cheese platter
Why it worksA classic Bordeaux match, where the tannin structure meets the richness of red meat and cheese.
From cellar to bottle
Winemaking
Grapes are hand-harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts in concrete and stainless steel tanks. The wine is aged for a year, split between tank and older barrels of three to five years, with no new oak used at any stage.
Product detail
Estate-bottled since the 2002 vintage, the wine is made without a consulting oenologist, with every winemaking decision made by Franck Richard.
The Terroir
Limestone soils, shaped by a dry maritime microclimate, give the wine its characteristic minerality and salinity.
Certification
Certified Organic Viticulture · Ecocert
Ecocert Organic Certification
Certified organic by Ecocert since 2010, the estate is farmed without chemical herbicides or pesticides.
Trade information
Contact Bacchus Global for product documentation, availability and trade enquiries.
