{"product_id":"chateau-daiguilhe-castillon-cotes-de-bordeaux-france-2021","title":"Chateau d'Aiguilhe, Castillon, Côtes de Bordeaux, France, 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eAcquired by Stephan von Neipperg at the end of 1998, Château d’Aiguilhe is one of the most beautiful estates in the Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux. The existing building, a sort of fortified farm, dates from the 13th century. Everything leads us to believe that the Aiguilhe seigneury covered a very large tract of land in the Middle Age, encompassing several important fiefs. Located on the border between French-controlled and English-controlled areas during the Hundred Years’ War, the Château played a major military role.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, the estates covers 111 hectares, of which 50 are devoted to winegrowing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vines (80% Merlot - 20% Cabernet Franc) grow uniquely on the upper part of the slope, where they find excellent natural drainage and south-facing sun exposure. The thin layer of relatively meagre clay-limestone and clay-silt soil covers a limestone substratum that provides wonderful water regulation. These natural advantages, combined with old vines, are conducive to producing powerful and mineral wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe estate is expertly managed by Jean-Patrick Meyrignac. It benefits from the tried and tested winegrowing methods used by Stephan von Neipperg at his Saint-Emilion estates: letting the terroir express itself fully, low yields and a very flexible approach to winemaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eStephan von Neipperg\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Corps\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eC\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eô\u003c\/span\u003etes de Bordeaux, France\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eChateau d'Aiguilhe is today one of the most beautiful estates of Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux on the right bank of Bordeaux. This region, marked by the Hundred Years' War, did not fail to give an important military role to this former 13-century fortified agricultural exploitation. Today, the estate is entirely dedicated to viticulture and has belonged to the Comtes Von Neipperg vineyards since 1998. Vinification in wooden and concrete vats. Extraction by pneumatic punching-down. Vatting for 29 days. Aged on fine lees in French oak barrels (30% new).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - James Suckling\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis has blueberries, dark chocolate, lavender and hints of sage on the nose. Medium-bodied with firm and silky tannins and a chalky finish. Crunchy. Delicious now, but drink or hold. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - Vinous\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2021 d’Aiguilhe is dark, fleshy and super-expressive. Black cherry, plum, new leather, licorice and mocha unfurl in the glass. The d'Aiguilhe is a blend of old vines and newer plantings from a massale selection started about a decade ago. Soft, plush contours add to its considerable appeal. –Antonio Galloni\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e90 Points - Decanter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA combination of ripe summer fruits on the nose with some smoked earth and chalky aromas. Lovely energy here, the red fruit - strawberry, raspberry and red cherry stops just short of being tart - it has this delicious crunchy almost sour flavor before settling revealing the chalky mid-palate. Tannins are fine but give soft support balancing the elements and driving the flavors from start to finish. So much joy drinking this wine with the terroir showing through and giving the textural elements which are so appealing. I like this a lot. Drinking Window: 2023 - 2029.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e90 Points - Wine Spectator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFresh and pure, with unadorned damson plum and cherry notes racing through, carried by a nicely inlaid, chalky structure through the floral-tinged finish, showing sneaky length. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2030. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Atherton","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51867077837105,"sku":null,"price":32.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Chateau_d_Aiguilhe_Castillon_Cotes_de_Bordeaux_France_2021.jpg?v=1758633021","url":"https:\/\/marchantofwine.com\/products\/chateau-daiguilhe-castillon-cotes-de-bordeaux-france-2021","provider":"Merchant of Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}