Castillon-Cotes de Bordeaux

Four of the five Bordeaux Côtes have created a new, simpler AOC/appellation in a bid to make their wines easier for the consumer to understand. 

In a decision which would streamline Bordeaux’s 57 appellations, the new AOC, comprising

• Côtes de Blaye
• Côtes de Castillon
• Côtes de Franc
• Premiere Côtes de Bordeaux

together will be called Côtes de Bordeaux.

Cotes de Bourg decided to remain outside of this unified system.

Premieres Côtes de Bordeaux became known as Cadillac-Côtes de Bordeaux.

The Cotes de Bordeaux-Blaye, Bourg, Côtes de Castillon; Côtes de Francs and Premiere Côtes de Bordeaux all have a long history of wine production.  The wines will generally have more character than a straight Bordeaux A0C and provide great value.

The appellation of Côtes de Castillon is essentially an extension of St-Émilion. The region is named after the town of Castillon-la-Bataille, the battle being that brought an end to the hundred years war. The vineyards of the hills (Côtes) are on the same limestone plateau as those of St Émilion and overlook the Right Bank of the Dordogne River. 

Oz Clarke describes it as a star region, with excellent wines at affordable prices. Côtes de Castillon produces well-structured Merlot based reds. Traditionally wines from Castillon were used to enhance Saint Émilion blends, but dramatic improvements by the local wine-growers in the 1970s has improved the overall quality of production and several growers from Saint Émilion and Pomerol have invested in the region.

In style, the Côtes de Castillon are full bodied and quite tannic in their youth with rich plummy flavours and much personality. Within a few years tannins soften and are the backbone for some of the worlds best merlot.