Côtes de Castillon

A newcomer appellation, having been created only in 1989. Interestingly, it incorporates the site of the last battle between England and France which ended the 100 Years War. The Earl of Shrewsbury and his small army, in a desperate bid to recapture the province at the request of the citizens of Bordeaux (who after three centuries considered themselves English), was defeated soundly here.

Nowadays it is home to vineyards which produce authentic, decadent, powerful and fruity wines. The terroir possesses fantastic soil for viticulture with a series of plateaus and hills composed of clay and limestone, with some traces of sandstone. As is usual towards the end of the slopes there are alluvial deposits of silt and sand with tiny stones. Wines produced there are much smoother and delicate.

Merlot is the pre-eminent grape force in the region along with a familiar presence of Cabernet Franc (70 and 20 percent, respectively). Cabernet Sauvignon is found in smaller quantities due to the terroir not being suitable for its maturation process.

In general, the wines are known for red berry and pitted fruit flavours. Aromas of pencil lead, dark plums and juicy raspberries are also found.

Soils: Limestone, clay-limestone, gravels, chalks and silts.
Size: 2,900 hectares
Output: 22,000,000 bottles
Type of wine produced: Red wines
Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec