Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to the red and made from 80% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Château D'Aiguilhe is also brilliant and well worth seeking out. Sporting a vibrant ruby/purple color as well as gorgeous notes of black raspberries and blue fruits, violates, bouquet garni, and spring flowers, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, bright acidity, and firm tannin, all of which give it a masculine feel, despite having plenty of upfront fruit. This is a beautiful Côtes de Castillon that will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring and keep for a decade or more.
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Wine Enthusiast
This balanced wine shows fine potential. Its structure dominates at the moment, with solid tannins, but the rich black fruit is all there. Let it develop over the next several years and drink from 2021.
Cellar Selection -
Wine Spectator
A swath of toasty, singed vanilla starts off, quickly backed by waves of currant and plum preserves. As the flavors knit, a graphite spine emerges and drives the anise- and apple wood–tinged finish. Let this settle in with a little cellaring. Very solid. Best from 2020 through 2027.
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Decanter
Ripe, fragrant aromatics. Power but opulence and finesse as well. Fine, fresh grain of tannin and a persistent finish. One of the best yet from this Von Neipperg-owned (Canon-la-Gaffelière) estate.
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.