Winemaker Notes
The greatest care is given to the vines of Castegens in order to produce wines fruity, fresh and greedy.
Blend: 80% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
From vines on the slopes of its castle, a witness to the 1453 end of the Hundred Years' War, this solid, concentrated wine has everything in the right place. It has the power of the vintage, showing firm tannins, rich black fruits and acidity. The wine will develop slowly and surely and should be ready from 2023.
Editors' Choice
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Though the region is larger than many of its Right Bank neighbors, it is one that consistently produces high quality, well-valued red wines. In fact, Cotes de Castillon can almost be considered a geographical eastern extension of St. Emilion, producing similarly-fashioned reds based on Merlot.
Vineyards in the region’s clay, limestone and sandstone soils produce sturdy red wines. On alluvial terraces, in vineyards closer to the Dordogne River, wines tend to be more supple and fruity. In either case, a great Cotes de Castillon red will be bursting with raspberry, plum and blueberry, have an enticing bouquet of dried flowers and a finish that is plush and opulent.