Winemaker Notes
Château Terrasson comes from a blend of Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon born on a clay-limestone plateau. This deep garnet hue, initially discreet, releases notes of very ripe strawberries and prunes with agitation. The generous mouth, also fruity, is supported by soft woody tannins.
Ideal when paired with red meat, as an aperitif with cold meats, poultry, soft cheese for classic vintages, with more refined, more elaborate dishes, such as game, lamprey, meats in sauce and mature cheeses for cuvées matured in barrels.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Layers of wood in this old-vines wine from Christophe Lavau are balanced by ripe black-plum and berry fruits. Concentrated and dense, this 90% Merlot has a rich texture. Drink this ripe wine from 2022.
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.