Château de la Rivière: Modern Times
From a vinous point of view, Château de la Rivière becomes of interest during the 18th century, when its wines were much sought after in the French court. At this time the wines of Fronsac were much more highly prized than they are today, with prices exceeding those of the top wines of St Emilion. This situation wasn’t to last forever, though. The region went into decline following the onslaught of phylloxera as the end of the 19th century drew near. Fronsac disappeared into obscurity, and it has remained there to this day. Despite this, even just a short drive around the region – such as the one that leads to the back gate to Château de la Rivière – reveals that Fronsac is still rich in vineyards.
With specific regard to Château de la Rivière, the most significant proprietor during the first half of the 20th century was Jacques Borie. It was he who was responsible for the restoration of the estate, and although not all of the decisions he made are beyond criticism – in particular some varieties were planted on less than ideal soils – I think it is fair to say that Château de la Rivière would not be in the position it is today were it not for Borie’s efforts. Returning again to Brook’s Bordeaux, Stephen writes of Borie as “an intense and passionate man, and this is clearly reflected in his wines. He believes fervently that he is creating a cru which can take its place beside the best in the Gironde, and in the process [he] has certainly been one of the pioneers in the renaissance of Fronsac.”
