Aiguilhe - Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux 2020

Vinous

91-91

par Neal Martin le 28/02/2025

The 2020 Château d'Aiguilhe has bold bouquet with finely delineated aromas of blackberry, wild strawberry, wild mint and cedar, almost Pauillac in style. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins. It's one of the "juicier" wines in the flight with a more approachable, corpulent finish. There is the substance here to merit cellaring, though it doesn't quite deliver the intellectual heft of its peers. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Alexandre Ma

91

par Alexandre Ma le 18/04/2023

Wine Advocate

92

par William Kelley le 06/04/2023

Aromas of cassis, dark berries and cherries mingle with subtle hints of incense and spices in an inviting bouquet to introduce the 2020 d'Aiguilhe, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered wine with powdery tannins and the lively acids that are typical of this later-ripening, limestone-rich sector. Always a notable value, this age-worthy cuvée has turned out very well this year.

Wine Spectator

92

par James Molesworth le 31/03/2023

Nicely rendered, with a very pure beam of cassis and cherry puree leading the way, infused gently with violet and savory accents. The fresh, focused finish is sneaky long. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2034. 20,000 cases made, 2,200 cases imported.

Jeb DUNNUCK

93

par Jeb Dunnuck le 30/03/2023

From the up-and-coming Castillon region, just east of Saint-Emilion, the 2020 Château D'Aiguilhe has a floral, cassis, and black raspberry-driven style that shows more tobacco and classic limestone minerality with time in the glass. It's medium to full-bodied, has fine tannins, and the balance and class to evolve for 10-15 years. It's a seriously good Castillon, even better than the brilliant 2019.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94

par Jeff Leve le 22/03/2023

Round, lush and polished, there is a wealth of fruit and freshness here that is made even better due to the notes of crushed rocks, stones and oceanic influences. On the palate the wine is silky, lifted and fruity, finishing with ample length and a cool salty touch. Drink from 2023-2038.

Alexandre Ma

91

par Alexandre Ma le 15/03/2023

Vinous

92

par Antonio Galloni le 24/02/2023

The 2020 d'Aiguilhe captures all of the exuberance of the vintage. Jammy and explosive, the 2020 offers up a heady mélange of raspberry preserves, mocha, spice and rose petal. This lush, extravagantly rich wine is a real beauty, but the style is definitely pushed in the direction of ripeness and textural intensity. Give the tannins a few years to soften.

Yvesbeck.wine

94

par Yves Beck le 03/01/2023

Je ne peux m'empêcher de penser à la notion d'aller embrasser les cailloux ! Car il y a des cailloux,
pas dans le vin, mais dans la vigne, respectivement il y a du calcaire, beaucoup de calcaire. Ceci
confère une incroyable énergie à d'Aiguilhe qui peut se targuer de ne pas se laisser contrarier par la
chaleur du millésime. Quelle énergie et quelle densité avec une notion de tannins veloutés et une
structure bien aiguisée. Encore une fois d'Aiguilhe ne manque pas plébisciter son terroir. 2026-2045

Vinous

90-92

par Antonio Galloni le 01/06/2021

The 2020 d'Aiguilhe is bright, punchy and so expressive. Clean mineral accents cut right through a core of blueberry fruit. Graphite, lavender, spice and mocha linger on the clean, bracing finish. Medium in body and vibrant, Stephan von Neipperg's Côtes de Castillon is superb in 2020.

Tastingbook.com

92

par Markus Del Monego le 28/05/2021

Deep purple colour wih violet hue and black core. Elegant nose with aroma reminiscent of elderberries, mulberries and ripe sloe, discreet spiciness and subtle oak in the background.
On the palate well structured and fresh, with ripe yet firm tannins, juicy fruit and discreet spiciness. 

Vinous

90-92

par Neal Martin le 26/05/2021

The 2020 Château d’Aiguilhe has a nose laden with mulberry, blackberry, allspice and even rooibos scents that lends it a subtle Capelands slant, not necessarily in a bad way. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grip on the entry, offering crunchy black fruit struck through with a silver bead of acidity. Fresh and vibrant, leaving blackberry, tobacco and touches of sour cherry on the aftertaste. There is real joie-de-vivre here.

Decanter.com

93

par Jane Anson le 25/05/2021

Violet reflections, great clarity of colour and immediate whoosh of salinity through the redcurrant fruits. Powerful and focused with bright berry flavours, it practically defines the term crunchy fruit, then softens to show creamier black cherry purée as it relaxes in the glass. Really a very tasty d'Aiguilhe from Vignobles Comtes von Neipperg. Extremely moreish. Harvest September 17 – 28, 30% new oak.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95

par Jeff Leve le 21/05/2021

Quite floral on the nose with earthy red fruits, forest floor and oceanic notes. On the palate the wine is silky, pure, fresh, vibrant and juicy. There is length and complexity with a cool salty touch to the tannins that is there from the mid-palate through to the finish. Blending 90% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc. 93-95

WeinWisser

18

par Tjark Witzgall le 21/05/2021

Tiefes Purpur mit opaker Mitte und rubinrotem Rand. Verführerisches Bouquet nach frischgepflückten
schwarzen Johannisbeeren, intensives Veilchenparfüm und Holundergelee, dahinter Lakritze und
Fliedernoten. Am satten Gaumen mit weicher Textur, körniges Extrakt und muskulöser Körper. Im
konzentrierten Finale schwarzbeerige Konturen, Graphit und zarte Adstringenz. Trilogie: Mission
completed. 2026 – 2046.

Anthocyanes

88-90

par Yohan Castaing le 11/05/2021

Nez boisé, très fruits noirs bien murs avec des notes d'épices et de clou de girofle. Bouche droite, tannique, pas totalement en place avec une finale mentholée.

My Bettane + Desseauve

90-91

par Bettane & Desseauve le 07/05/2021