Chateau d'Aiguilhe, Castillon, Côtes de Bordeaux, France, 2022

Overview of the Wine
Acquired 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.

Today, the estates covers 111 hectares, of which 50 are devoted to winegrowing.

The 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.

The 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.

Winemaker
Stephan von Neipperg

Grape Blend
90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc

Origin
Côtes de Bordeaux, France

Tasting Notes
Chateau 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).

Combining power and freshness, the wines of Château d’Aiguilhe succeed in expressing the terroir's strong personality, and show very well after 5 years in bottle.

94 Points - Decanter
Rich and intense nose, concentrated with dark bramble fruits. A shot of sharp intense strawberry and raspberry fruit hits the palate, super succulent and instantly mouthwatering, quite lean and linear though there is a nice expansion of fruit flavours while the tannins stay quite firm and straight. Touching on austere and severe but the softly plump juiciness keeps this enjoyable and there is layering of elements. Acidity is on the prominent side but this is quite captivating with crunchy, bright, just-ripe red fruits and chalky texture on the finish.

92 Points - James Suckling
Bright and tangy with chalk and salt to the sliced pears and melon. Medium body. Crisp and delicious.

92 Points - Vinous
The 2022 d'Aiguilhe is plump, juicy and super-expressive. At the same time, it has plenty of energy and the underlying structure to support a number of years in the cellar. Bright chalky notes extend the finish.

92 Points - Wine Spectator
Fresh and tightly focused, with a racy beam of red and black cherry fruit laced with violet and rose petal accents on the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

90 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
The 2022 Seigneurs D'Aiguilhe is the second wine of the château and comes from a similar terroir as the Grand Vin but is from the younger vines of the estate. It has beautiful black raspberry, floral, and mineral-driven aromatics, and it's medium-bodied on the palate, with a juicy, elegant, lively mouthfeel. There are some firmer tannins here, but this is still a beautiful, elegant wine with plenty to love.

Product size: 750ml