Château d'Aiguilhe, 2019
Château d'Aiguilhe, 2019
- 75cl
- 14.5%
- Red Still
- Merlot, Cabernet Franc
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2040
About Château d'Aiguilhe, 2019
This is a standout Castillon wine from the Comtes von Neipperg portfolio, offering both elegance and approachability. Mostly Merlot, with 12% Cabernet Franc, it opens with inviting aromas of ripe blueberries, cherries, and delicate floral notes.
The palate is medium to full-bodied, with a fresh, vibrant character and fine, well-integrated tannins that give it structure without being overpowering. Smooth, balanced, and effortlessly enjoyable, this is a wine that’s sure to impress, whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or just looking for a great bottle to share. Drink with any fine meat dish. It's a real joy.
Currently showing beautiful primary fruit character with the oak well-integrated and tannins softening nicely. Over the next 2-3 years, we expect the cherry and cassis to develop more savoury complexity whilst retaining freshness. The mineral backbone will become more prominent as the wine matures, with secondary notes of leather and earth emerging around 2030. This should hold its peak until the mid-2030s, after which the fruit will begin to fade, though the wine will remain pleasant for several years beyond.
What the critics say:
"A terrific effort from this large and immaculately maintained property on the clay-limestone slopes of the Côtes de Castillon, the 2019 d'Aiguilhe exhibits aromas of cherries and cassis mingled with notions of burning embers, licorice and warm spices. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with lively acids, powdery tannins and a mineral finish, it's intelligently matured in tank and large-format oak as well as small barriques."
"The 2019 d'Aiguilhe has a really lovely bouquet of ample black cherry, mulberry and light floral scents, very pure and delineated. The palate is medium-bodied with cedar-infused red fruit. While not as exuberant as the aromatics, this is nicely detailed and quite poised on the finish. No, I still cannot pronounce its name, but this Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux is well worth seeking out."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep ruby with a bright, youthful rim suggesting good concentration.
NoseOpens with ripe cherry and cassis, followed by warming spices and a hint of burning embers. There's an attractive floral lift that adds elegance to the fruit-driven aromatics. Light liquorice and cedar notes emerge with time in the glass.
PalateMedium to full-bodied with excellent balance between fruit concentration and freshness. The cherry and dark berry flavours are supported by fine, powdery tannins that give structure without overwhelming. Cedar-infused red fruit shows the intelligent oak integration, whilst lively acidity keeps everything focused.
FinishLong and mineral-driven with lingering spice and a satisfying dry conclusion.
Overall impressionA beautifully balanced Castillon that combines immediate appeal with serious structure.
Food Pairings
In Castillon, this would traditionally accompany the hearty cuisine of southwest France – think duck confit with garlic potatoes, or slow-braised beef with wild mushrooms. The local specialty of entrecôte à la bordelaise, with its rich shallot and red wine reduction, would be perfect here. Aged sheep's cheese from the nearby Périgord region makes an excellent match, as do the region's famous walnuts served alongside charcuterie. The wine's mineral backbone also pairs beautifully with roasted lamb seasoned with herbs de Provence.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C to allow the fruit and spice complexity to shine without overwhelming the palate. A gentle decant of 30-45 minutes will help integrate the oak and soften the tannins, though it's perfectly approachable straight from the bottle. Use Bordeaux-style glasses with a generous bowl to concentrate the aromatics. If serving an older bottle, decant carefully to separate any sediment that may have formed.
The vineyards sit on the clay-limestone slopes that define the best sites in Côtes de Castillon, providing excellent drainage whilst retaining enough moisture for the vines. This geological foundation gives the wines their characteristic mineral backbone and allows for slow, even ripening of the Merlot that dominates the blend. The elevated position catches cooling breezes that preserve acidity, whilst the limestone subsoil contributes to the wine's elegance and aging potential.
Côtes de Castillon sits just east of Saint-Émilion, sharing similar clay-limestone soils but offering exceptional value compared to its famous neighbour. The appellation specialises in Merlot-based blends that combine Right Bank richness with mineral precision. Established as an AOC in 1989, Castillon has attracted serious investment from quality-focused producers who recognise the potential of these hillside sites. The wines typically show more restraint and minerality than Saint-Émilion, making them particularly food-friendly.
The 2019 growing season in Bordeaux delivered exactly what vignerons dream about: a textbook combination of winter rain to replenish the soils, a warm spring that encouraged even budbreak, and crucially, a bone-dry summer that stressed the vines just enough without cooking them. September brought the perfect finale with warm days and cool nights, allowing grapes to ripen slowly while retaining their natural acidity. Harvest began in mid-September under ideal conditions, with pickers working through October to capture each variety at optimal ripeness.
What emerged from the cellars shows all the hallmarks of a properly made vintage: the Merlot displays that gorgeous plush fruit character without any jammy excess, while Cabernet Sauvignon achieved full phenolic ripeness with structured tannins that feel ripe rather than harsh. We find these wines have a lovely immediacy about them—they're not the brooding, backward style that demands decades of patience, but rather wines with enough backbone to age gracefully while offering genuine pleasure from release. Most are drinking beautifully now and will continue to develop over the next 15-20 years, making this one of those vintages that works for both early drinkers and patient cellars.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Ripe cherry and cassis with warming spices and a mineral finish. It's medium to full-bodied with smooth, well-integrated tannins and fresh acidity that keeps everything balanced.
When should I drink this wine?
It's drinking beautifully now and will continue to improve until around 2035. The fruit is at its peak whilst the tannins have softened nicely.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Excellent with roasted meats, particularly lamb or beef. Duck confit, mature hard cheeses, or anything with rich, savoury flavours will work wonderfully.
Do I need to decant this wine?
A 30-45 minute decant will help open up the aromatics and integrate the flavours, but it's perfectly enjoyable straight from the bottle.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Absolutely. Whilst delicious now, it will develop greater complexity and minerality over the next 5-10 years. The structure suggests it will age gracefully until the mid-2030s.
How does this compare to Saint-Émilion?
It offers similar elegance and Merlot-driven character but with more mineral precision and better value. Castillon wines typically show more restraint and food-friendly acidity than their famous neighbour.
OUR GROWERS
Château d'Aiguilhe
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