Aiguilhe - Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux 2020
Acquired by Stephan von Neipperg in late 1998, Château d’Aiguilhe is one of the finest and most beautiful vineyards in the Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux appellation. Located back from the river, the château's dignified ruins bear witness to a long and turbulent history.
Formerly the heart of a fortified farm, the château dates from the 13th century. Everything leads us to believe that the Aiguilhe seigneury was vast, with several large fiefs. Located on the frontier between areas occupied by the French and English during the Hundred Years' War, the château had a major strategic role and changed allegiance regularly according to the political tendencies of the seigneur... Later on, the château belonged to the Albret family, then the Leberthons, who contributed several members of the Bordeaux parliament. Before emigrating on the eve of the French Revolution, the Leberthons sold the estate to a certain Etienne Martineau, who transformed it into a huge 400-hectare farm in a single block that stayed in his family until 1920.
Key Points
- Family owned and managed
- A high quality wine and well rated
Area under vine
90 ha
Terroir
Clay-limestone
Average age of the vines
28 years
Harvesting
By hand, into small crates to avoid bruising. Sorting before and after destemming. No crushing. The grapes are put into vats by gravity flow.
Vinification
In wooden vats for 40 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Malolactic fermentation and ageing
In new oak barrels (30%) on fine lees. For 15 to 18 months. Fining and filtering as necessary, depending on the vintage.